Health Ministry Given 7-Day Ultimatum To Respond To Health Crisis After SHA Rollout
The Commission on Administrative Justice demanded on Saturday that the Health Principal Secretary in Charge of Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, resolve the country’s current health crisis.
The Office of the Ombudsman gave the PS seven days to resolve the issue caused by the government’s decision to transfer funds from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
According to the Ombudsman, several health facilities across the country have reportedly turned away patients who are not registered with the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), including those seeking cancer treatment and dialysis.
“The Commission takes cognisance of reports on various media platforms highlighting the plight of Kenyans who are being denied essential health care services, owing to the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF),” read part of the letter.
The Commission wants the Principal Secretary, State Department for Health to Respond to Denial of Essential Health Care Services. pic.twitter.com/IOJnXI43ID
— Ombudsman Kenya (@KenyasOmbudsman) October 5, 2024
The human rights and justice watchdog also faulted the PS for breaking her previous promise to ensure the seamless and continuous provision of healthcare services across the country.
Meanwhile, in the demand note, the Ombudsman’s Office requested that the Health PS publish a list of members registered under the new health scheme as of September 30 to identify those who are at risk of being denied health care services.
The commission also urged the PS to outline the initiatives taken to ensure that citizens were informed about how to access services during the transition period.
“Bearing in mind that some members under the NHIF Scheme paid lumpsum contributions to NHIF that run past October 2024 into the year 2025, provide a copy of the Refund policy and the general communication to the affected members,” the PS was told.
The Ombudsman’s directive comes a day after the Ministry of Health reiterated that the transition of existing NHIF members to SHA was legal, as specified in Legal Notice 147 of 2024.
Have you been denied services under the Social Health Insurance Fund? If you have faced any challenges or have been denied services, we urge you to lodge your complaints with us. Your experiences are crucial in ensuring that every Kenyan receives the healthcare they deserve. pic.twitter.com/lZcrpaqNLS
— Ombudsman Kenya (@KenyasOmbudsman) October 6, 2024
The ministry also advised Kenyans to update and verify their information in order to receive seamless services.
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While speaking to the press in Nairobi, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa insisted that no facility should deny patients services as the nationwide rollout of the SHA kicks off.
“No hospital or health facility will deny you service during this transition,” Barasa said.
“We have already communicated that services must continue uninterrupted ahead of the implementation of this progressive scheme.”
Meanwhile, in response to concerns about Kenyans’ sudden mass migration from NHIF to SHA, Health PS Harry Kimtai clarified that the move was legal.
Health Ministry Given 7-Day Ultimatum To Respond To Health Crisis After SHA Rollout
