FACT CHECK: Linda Mama still operational - NHIF

The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has dismissed claims that it has scrapped the free maternal health care programme dubbed Linda Mama from its list of services.

This comes as social media users took to Twitter, alleging that Linda Mama has been scrapped. "Linda mama program imekua scrapped," wrote @Japesa14.

However, in a statement dated January 2, 2023, NHIF insisted that the programme is still operational and that over 6 million women have benefited from it since its introduction.

"Attention is drawn to recent false social media messages purporting the discontinuity of the government-funded Linda Mama program.  NHIF wishes to assure the public that the cover is still active as mothers continue to benefit massively," the statement reads in part.

"The program, funded by the Government of Kenya, targets expectant women and aims at reducing maternal and child deaths. In addition, the program ensures mothers do not struggle with paying medical bills during pregnancy and childbirth and encourages them to seek the services of a skilled birth attendant."

NHIF likewise warned Kenyans against believing anything that they read on social media.

"The Fund, therefore, urges the public to ignore the false messages shared online," said the healthcare provider.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta introduced the initiative during his reign in a bid to improve access and quality of maternal, newborn and child healthcare services towards the attainment of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Agenda.

Citizen Digital published this fact check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and African Fact-Checking Alliance.