The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health is set to launch a public inquiry into fraudulent activities at the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Allegations of collusion between NHIF officials and private healthcare facilities to defraud the national insurer prompted the investigation.
Speaking on Tuesday after a meeting with management at NHIF, Endebess MP Robert Pukose expressed concern over prevalent claims that high-ranking NHIF management is involved with unscrupulous hospitals in defrauding the fund.
Pukose said there should be a probe that may result in significant personnel changes at the NHIF.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to the misappropriation of public resources within NHIF. The only path to uncover the truth behind the NHIF crisis is through a public inquiry," Pukose said.
"Next week, we will convene to establish the terms of reference for the inquiry and invite all relevant stakeholders to present their knowledge of the situation at NHIF."
The 15-member committee will also explore the preferential treatment given to privately-owned healthcare facilities at the expense of public health institutions.
"It is inconceivable that a private hospital could perform more surgeries than renowned institutions such as Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), let alone both combined. Clearly, these claims are baseless," Moyale MP Guyo Jaldesa said.
Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek acknowledged that fraudulent activities at the NHIF have persisted throughout history.
"If we aim to establish Universal Health Insurance (UHC), we must address the deep-rooted corruption at NHIF, even if it entails removing the entire NHIF board of management and directors," Kiborek said.
Nyeri Town MP Dancun Mathenge said the public inquiry is the only way to expose the corruption at NHIF.
Mathenge said certain private hospitals submit exorbitant claims for surgeries, surpassing the number performed by other public hospitals.
"It is disheartening that 60 per cent of NHIF payments go to private health facilities, especially considering that the privileged hospitals are those with close connections to NHIF's top brass. Meanwhile, legitimate service providers struggle to operate due to unpaid dues," he said.
