SHA REPORT: Patients’ Responses, Difficulties When Accessing Level 4, 5, & 6 Hospital
Nearly a month after the government implemented the new Social Health Authority (SHA) healthcare system, healthcare seekers across the country continue to file complaints.
The Primary Health Care Act, which requires patients to seek care at dispensaries and health centers before being referred to higher facilities, has been dubbed a stumbling block.
Many of these facilities are in poor condition and lack basic services.
At the Bokimai Level 2 Facility in Kisii County. Esnah Ambela carries her baby as she ascends a steep hill in search of healthcare services, only to be met with a rude awakening at the dispensary: there are no medicines.
Although the Tabata Mission Hospital is better equipped to provide the services she requires, SHA regulations prevent her from seeking treatment at her preferred facility.
The Primary Health Care Act requires that all primary care be sought at Level 2 and 3 facilities before a referral is made. Unfortunately, the so-called Level 2 and 3 facilities are inadequately equipped.
“Ukienda hospitali hakuna madawa. Ukienda hospitali kubwa unaambiwa urudi hizi hospitali ndogo ndogo ndio utumwe hio kubwa….hizi ndogo madawa hakuna,” Ambela told Citizen TV.
SHA: Patients still stranded:
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 24, 2024
Patients fail to get service over dysfunctional claims system. Many patients are forced to pay cash to access services. Private, faith-based facilities still not onboard over huge debts. President Ruto pledged to pay KSH 3 billion of the debt this… pic.twitter.com/4E0Uq63rfJ
“Hii SHA imekuja hata hatuelewi mahali tutaanzia. Tukikuja hapa hakuna madawa; tunataka services zilitwe hapa,” Grace Mukami, another Bokimai resident, said.
Nurses we spoke with, whose identities we cannot reveal, reported receiving patient registration devices, but the facilities are not connected to the national power grid and lack internet access.
They also stated that they had not been trained on how to assist patients with registration.
For Ambela, the inconvenience is twofold: not only must she avoid better facilities closer to home because they will not treat her without a referral, but her preferred hospital also requires a unique document for registration.
“Tulienda Tabata Mission Hospital; mzee alikwenda kujiandikisha akapata madaktari wakamwambia arudi na marriage certificate,” she said.
Kericho County Reports
Status of SHA Transition
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) October 26, 2024
“Patients are paying out of pocket. It’s not working. It’s not functional.”
KMPDU meet in Mombasa to take stalk of SHA. @kevinmutai_ pic.twitter.com/kXRKsqfbNw
“Patients are stranded; they are told to pay for medicine instead of SHA covering it as it should. We appeal to the government: instead of focusing on Gachagua’s impeachment, let them address SHA issues. Patients are suffering,” Samuel Koros, a Kaptaket resident, said.
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Festus Korir, another resident, is a frustrated man. His father, who was admitted to Kapkatet Level 4 Hospital, was released three days ago, but they are unable to process his discharge.
Despite Mzee Korior’s up-to-date SHIF contributions, the system fails to reflect his information, and the family is increasingly concerned that they will have to pay the $100,000 hospital bill with cash.
“We are having a lot of trouble with SHA. It’s difficult to register; the system rejects us. We were sent to a cyber café and told the registration was successful, but when we come here, it doesn’t show in the system,” he said.
The government is currently in a standoff with faith-based organizations and other private facilities over the referral system clause, which they claim denies patients the right to choose where they want to seek health services.
SHA REPORT: Patients’ Responses, Difficulties When Accessing Level 4, 5, & 6 Hospital
