The government has pledged to refund
Sh9, 500 to an elderly Nakuru man who was allegedly denied dialysis after he
was asked to pay in cash.
James Kanyore had been using the
National Health Insurance Fund to pay for his medical expenses.
He, however, encountered challenges
after NHIF transitioned to Social Health Authority (SHA) and patients required
to pay for their medical expenses using the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)
from October 1.
The challenge moved Kanyore to tears
as the hospital required him to pay Sh9,500 for his treatment despite
government having said no NHIF patient who was yet to migrate to SHA should be
asked to pay from pocket.
Speaking on Sunday, SHA Director,
Corporate Services, Ibrahim Alio said they followed up the case.
“We have seen some patients who have been
crying out and suffering, an example was the man who cried on the TV, and we
followed up with the patient immediately,” he said.
“In the next session, he will not go
through any problem. His next session will be on Monday and we have agreed to
refund Sh9,500 paid by him to the facility,” Alio added.
Kanyore’s dilemma was highlighted on Citizen
TV; he became emotional and shed tears while asking for help to get his medical
services.
“Nimeambiwa niende niambie watu wetu
watoe pesa Sh9,500, lakini mimi ni mzee sina pesa, sina mahali ya kuomba,” he
said while tearing up.
(I have been told to tell my people to
pay Sh9,500, but I’m old and I don’t have money. I have nowhere I can borrow)
A section of Kenyans shared similar grievances
and how they failed to acquire medical services after the migration from NHIF
to SHA.
The government on October 1, 2024,
rolled out SHA and on October 2, migrated all NHIF accounts to the new
scheme.
The government assured that
contributions made to NHIF will remain secure as the system transitions to the
new Social Health Authority (SHA).
The Ministry of Health on Sunday
announced that at least 12,704,548 Kenyans have so far registered with SHA.
The number includes verified members
who were under the defunct National Health Insurance Fund and have been
transitioned to SHA.
Health PS Harry Kimtai said 10,904 end
users have been trained, enrolled and their credentials sent.
PS Kimtai asked Kenyans to register
and add their dependants for them to access healthcare services.
“Registration is a continuous process and is ongoing through the USSD *147# or web-based portal on www.sha.go.ke or www.afyayangu.go.ke. We have also noted that most beneficiaries are registering but not adding their dependents,” he said.