The Permanent Secretary (PS) for Public Health, Mary Muthoni, has called on key stakeholders to come together and address the challenges facing the Social Health Authority (SHA) in an effort to improve its services.
Her appeal comes shortly after the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) announced plans to suspend treatment for patients covered under SHA. This drastic decision follows the government’s failure to settle payments for services rendered by private hospitals, some of which date back to 2017.
According to RUPHA, hospitals have gone unpaid for over 11 months, putting them in financial distress. The association further accused the government of favoring its own clinics unfairly, creating an uneven playing field for private healthcare providers.
Among their demands is the settlement of Ksh30 billion, which was accumulated under the previous National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) system since 2017. The decision to halt services for SHA patients, RUPHA stated, is a last-ditch effort to pressure the government into paying outstanding bills and improving SHA services.
PS Muthoni, however, urged for dialogue rather than confrontation. “If there are communication challenges or disagreements, I believe the best way forward is not to walk away but to return to the table and seek solutions,” she stated.
She emphasized that healthcare should not be divided between private and public hospitals since all patients deserve quality medical care. “We are all serving Kenyans. A patient is a patient, whether in a private hospital or a public one. I urge those with complaints to use the right channels so that their concerns are addressed,” she added.
Muthoni encouraged all healthcare providers to remain committed to delivering high-quality medical services as promised under the SHA framework.
The PS made these remarks on Friday, February 21, during a medical camp organized by ACK St. Paul’s Church in Kutus. She highlighted the importance of bringing healthcare services closer to the people, ensuring that all Kenyans have access to medical care.
With RUPHA representing over 380 private hospitals across the country, the suspension of services under SHA is expected to leave many patients stranded starting Monday, February 24, if a resolution is not reached.
“This decision follows months of unsuccessful negotiations, broken promises, and increasing financial strain on hospitals. The situation has now escalated to a point where the survival of many healthcare facilities across Kenya is at risk,” RUPHA said in a statement issued on Thursday.
The announcement sparked strong reactions from Kenyans and political leaders. Among those who criticized the government was former Chief Justice David Maraga, who condemned the state for failing to ensure a functioning healthcare system.
Maraga called on the government to act urgently, settle pending hospital payments, and restore healthcare services for all Kenyans.
In response, the Office of the Ombudsman has also stepped in, demanding that SHA provide a detailed report on outstanding payments to private hospitals, along with a clear explanation for the prolonged delays.
The Ombudsman, led by Chief Executive Officer Robert Ingasira, has insisted on a full audit of SHA’s financial operations to ensure transparency. It also called for corrective measures to prevent future payment delays and urged SHA to outline clear resolution strategies to prevent a national healthcare crisis.
Meanwhile, even as these financial disputes continue, government officials are actively promoting the SHA scheme, encouraging more Kenyans to register and take advantage of its healthcare benefits.
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