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We'll clear all NHIF debts owed to hospitals - state

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura says Sh5.05 billion has been disbursed to date.

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by Allan Kisia

News15 November 2024 - 16:05
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In Summary


  • Mwaura said an additional Sh2.5 billion is scheduled for disbursement in the next few days.
  • He said the government is devoted to the realisation of Universal Health Coverage through the shift to Social Health Insurance Fund.

    Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura

    The government has assured Kenyans that it is actively working on clearing historical debts owed by the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to hospitals., including the Sh19 billion for healthcare providers.

    Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said Sh5.05 billion has been disbursed to date, with faith-based hospitals receiving Sh938 million.

    He said an additional Sh2.5 billion is scheduled for disbursement in the next few days.

    “The government assures that these pending bills will be cleared, allowing all healthcare providers to continue serving our people effectively,” he stated.

    He said the government is devoted to the realisation of Universal Health Coverage through the shift to Social Health Insurance Fund “which will permanently transform the provision of healthcare to enable all Kenyans to access preventive, promotive, palliative and curative services.”

    He noted that over 14 million Kenyans have already enrolled with SHIF and several Kenyans are giving positive feedback on the successes of the new medical scheme.

    Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops on Thursday criticised the government for what it called a "culture of lies," asserting that the failure to pay outstanding NHIF dues to faith-based health facilities has severely impacted vulnerable communities.

    The bishops pointed out that several faith-based hospitals, particularly those run by the Catholic church, were owed substantial amounts in unpaid claims.

    In response, Health CS Deborah Barasa assured that the government was actively addressing the issues.

    The Social Health Authority (SHA), which is now responsible for managing health insurance claims, has been tasked with reconciling and clearing NHIF claims between October and November, 2024.

    The defunct NHIF had agreements with 8,886 healthcare providers, including public, private and faith-based institutions, with 312 of these being faith-based organisations.

    Mwaura said the government has taken note of concerns raised by the clerics regarding various pressing issues affecting the nation.

    “We welcome the bishops' engagement and value their advocacy for the well-being of Kenyans,” he said.

    The government has assured Kenyans that it is actively addressing the historical debts owed by the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), including the Sh19 billion for healthcare providers.

    Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura said Sh5.05 billion has been disbursed to date, with faith-based hospitals receiving Sh938 million.

    He said an additional Sh2.5 billion is scheduled for disbursement in the next few days.

    “The government assures that these pending bills will be cleared, allowing all healthcare providers to continue serving our people effectively,” he stated.

    He said the government is devoted to the realisation of Universal Health Coverage through the shift to Social Health Insurance Fund “which will permanently transform the provision of healthcare to enable all Kenyans to access preventive, promotive, palliative and curative services.”

    He noted that over 14 million Kenyans have already enrolled with SHIF and several Kenyans are giving positive feedback on the successes of the new medical scheme.

    Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops on Thursday criticised the government for what it called a "culture of lies," asserting that the failure to pay outstanding NHIF dues to faith-based health facilities has severely impacted vulnerable communities.

    The bishops pointed out that several faith-based hospitals, particularly those run by the Catholic church, were owed substantial amounts in unpaid claims.

    In response, Health CS Deborah Barasa assured that the government was actively addressing the issues.

    The Social Health Authority (SHA), which is now responsible for managing health insurance claims, has been tasked with reconciling and clearing NHIF claims between October and November, 2024.

    The defunct NHIF had agreements with 8,886 healthcare providers, including public, private and faith-based institutions, with 312 of these being faith-based organisations.

    Mwaura said the government has taken note of concerns raised by the clerics regarding various pressing issues affecting the nation.

    “We welcome the bishops' engagement and value their advocacy for the well-being of Kenyans,” he said.

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