I have received many requests from individuals who are struggling to understand how to add dependants on SHA online.
As someone who has gone through the process, I understand the confusion and frustration that can come with navigating a new online system. That’s why I have decided to write this article to guide you through the process of adding dependants on SHA online.
Firstly, let’s start with some background information. SHA (Social Health Authority) is an Act in Kenya established to provide healthcare services for all its registered beneficiaries. It aims to replace NHIF (National Hospital Insurance Fund) by pooling all contributions made under the Act and purchasing healthcare services from empaneled and contracted healthcare providers.
One of the key benefits of being a registered beneficiary under SHA is the ability to add dependants to your coverage. This ensures that your loved ones are also protected and can access quality healthcare services when needed.
In this article, I will walk you through the step-by-step process of adding dependants on SHA online. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Requirements for Adding Dependants
Before I jump into the process, let me first highlight the requirements for adding dependants on SHA. You will need:
- A valid SHA account: To add dependants, you must first be a registered beneficiary under SHA. If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so by visiting the SHA website or their nearest SHIF agent. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to register for SHIF (Social Health Insurance Fund) if you are new to the system.
- Personal information of dependants: You will need the full names, date of birth, and ID or Birth Certificate numbers of your dependants. This information is crucial in ensuring accurate registration and coverage under SHA.
- A clear scanned copy of dependant’s ID or Birth Certificate: This document will be used as proof for adding your dependant on SHA online. Make sure the copy is legible, and all details are clearly visible.
Now that you have all the requirements ready let’s begin adding dependants on the Social Health Authority.
How to Add Dependants on SHA Online: Step-by-step Guide
The tutorial below is a live demonstration of the process of adding dependants on SHA online. I used my own SHA account to make it as clear and easy to follow as possible. Let’s get started:
Step 1: Log in to Your SHA Account
The first step is to log in to your SHA account (the Afyangu portal) using your ID type (Kenyan Citizen, Foreign Resident, or Refugee status). Once you select your appropriate ID type, enter your ID number, then enter the 4-digit PIN you created during SHIF registration. Click on the “Login” button.
Once you click on the “Login” button, an OTP (one-time password) will be sent to your registered phone number. You must enter this OTP in the space provided and click on “Proceed” to log in to your Afya Yangu account.
Note: If you have forgotten your PIN, follow these steps to reset it:
- Click on the “Reset PIN” link above the login button.
- Enter your ID number
- Enter your registered phone number in the format “7XXXXXXXX” and click on “Proceed.”
- Enter the OTP sent to your phone number.
- Create a new 4-digit PIN and confirm it by entering again.
- Click on “Reset PIN” to complete the process.
Step 2: Navigate to the “My Profile” Tab
After successfully logging in to your Afya Yangu account, you will be directed to the homepage. On the left side of the page, you will see a menu with different tabs such as “Home,” “My Profile,” “Personal Health,” “Appointments,” “Health Records,” and “Prescriptions.” Click on the “My Profile” tab.
Step 3: Click on the “Dependant” option
Under the “My Profile” tab, you will see different options. These include “Overview,” “Income”, “Dependants,” “Next of Kin,” “Address,” and “Health Facilities.” All these options are relevant, but for the purpose of this tutorial, click on the “Dependants” option. I will explore the other options in a separate tutorial.
Step 4: Add a New Dependant
Once you click on the “Dependants” option, a pop-up question will ask, “Do you have dependents?” Click on the “Add dependant” button.
Next, click on the appropriate option to select your relationship with the dependant, i.e., Child, Child (adopted), Child (loco parentis), or Spouse. For this tutorial, I selected “Spouse” because this is the most common relationship most of you have requested information on.
By the way, for those who are wondering what loco parentis means, it is a Latin term that refers to someone who has taken on the role of a parent, even though they are not related by blood or adoption. This could be a step-parent or foster parent.
Now, once you have selected the appropriate relationship, click “Proceed.”
Step 5: Enter the dependant’s information
You will have a form to fill in your dependant’s personal information. These are:
- Identification type (National ID, Military ID, or Passport)
- Identification number
- Phone number (in the format 7XXXXXXXX)
Once you have entered all this information correctly, click on “Send” next to the phone number field. An OTP will be sent to the dependant’s phone number. They will need to enter this OTP in the space provided and click on “Save” to proceed.
Important Note: If you are adding your spouse as a dependant, they MUST be registered on the Social Health Authority (SHA)/Afya Yangu portal for you to proceed with this process. If they are not registered yet, you will need to register them first. Here’s a guide on how to register with the Social Health Authority.
Step 6: Congratulations! You have added a dependant on SHA
Once you complete the previous step, you will see a success message informing you that your request for adding a new dependant has been received and is pending verification. Go back to your profile and confirm that the dependant’s information has been successfully added. You will also receive a notification on your registered phone number once the verification process is completed.
Now you can rest easy knowing that your spouse is covered under the Social Health Insurance Act and can access quality healthcare services without any financial strain. I will cover the process of adding children to SHA in a separate tutorial, so stay tuned!
Final Thoughts
Adding dependants on SHA is a simple and straightforward process. As long as you have all the required documents and information ready, it should take less than 10 minutes to complete. If you face any challenges during the process, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to assist you.
Remember, a healthy family is a happy family! Stay safe and stay healthy with SHA. So don’t hesitate to add your dependants on SHA today! Your loved ones deserve the best healthcare possible, and with SHA, you can ensure just that. Keep checking our blog for more informative tutorials and updates on the Social Health Authority.
Let’s work together to achieve universal health coverage for every Kenyan citizen. Together, we can make it happen!
