The Ministry of Health has been urged to
resolve the stalemate surrounding the acquisition of
medical care using the Social Health Insurance Fund.
The impasse has been occassioned by the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund to SHIF. Beryl’s Medical Centre director Newton Ogada said many sick Kenyans cannot get medical care due to lack of medical insurance.
Speaking when he convened camps for providing free medical services to patients in Homa Bay town, he cited concerns raised during the event.
“The medical camp has been undertaken for a week and more than 4,000 people seeking medical care complain that they can’t access medication in health facilities due to confusion in SHA,” he said.
“Many of them have NHIF but cannot be treated because of migration.”
Ogada asked medical officials to remain truthful and tell Kenyans that SHA is still not working.
“We may experience high death rates in the near future if this stalemate is not resolved,” he said.
Ogada said most private and public health facilities do not provide medical services to patients who do not have cash money.
Health facilities are unable to log into the Social Health Authority (SHA), making them compel patients to meet the cost of medication with cash money.
The situation is an obstacle to many patients due to financial challenges.
Moreover, many Kenyans had submitted their monthly subscriptions to the now-defunct NHIF until mid-next year, but they cannot acquire medical care.
Ogada urged MPs to intervene in the matter with speed to help citizens get treatment. Many Kenyans turn up for such free medical camps whenever they are offered.
On October 6, The Ministry of Health announced that at least 12,704,548 Kenyans have so far registered for the Social Health Authority.
The number includes verified members who were under the defunct National Health Insurance Fund and have been transitioned to SHA.
In a statement, Health PS Harry Kimtai said Sunday marks the sixth day of SHA since its rollout on October 1, 2024.
He said a total of 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.