The Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has on Tuesday confirmed the government’s intention to bring back an enhanced Linda Mama program.
According to the PS, the free maternal healthcare program will be reintroduced under the same name with enhanced benefits to expectant mothers.
On Tuesday, PS Muthoni stated that the program will be one of the pillars of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) that will specifically cater to expectant mothers under its budget.
“This is going to be stand-alone program under SHIF, just like it used to be, to take care of mothers and babies.” noted the PS.
PS Muthoni further stated that with the enhanced benefits, members will not need to get into their pockets for anything needed for both normal delivery and caesarean delivery.
“For normal delivery, the benefit is now Ksh.11,000 while for caesarean delivery, it is going to be Ksh.32,000,” Muthoni said.
The PS added that some monies have been set aside for the enhanced program to seek more funding as the budget-making process kicks off afresh.
The PS noted that the move is in response to calls from Kenyans. She continues by adding that there is ongoing public participation for citizens to suggest how they want the new Linda Mama program to contain.
