MOMBASA: The Ministry of Health has urged medical facilities participating in the Social Health Authority (SHA) program to adhere to their service agreements, amid reports of certain facilities demanding upfront cash payments or denying services. Health Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring compliance, warning that action would be taken against non-compliant facilities.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kimtai announced plans to publish a list of contracted facilities that have failed to deliver agreed services, citing excuses such as system failures. He clarified that the responsibility for naming facilities seeking empanelment under SHA no longer lies with the SHA itself, calling on the regulator to monitor compliance closely. Kimtai revealed that 7,000 facilities have signed contracts to offer services, with 13 million Kenyans registered in the program, aiming to cover the entire population by December.
Efforts are underway to facilitate the SHA rollout at coun
ty levels, with County Executive Officers for Health tasked with ensuring service provision. Committees have been established to oversee implementation from county to grassroots levels, supported by County Commissioners and a national Technical Steering Committee. Community Health Providers have been trained for assisted registration, particularly for households lacking access to phones or cyber cafes.
Kimtai also announced a Sh3.5 billion government funding release to settle outstanding bills for health facilities under the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), with a new mandate to clear claims every 90 days to prevent backlogs. SHA CEO Elijah Wachira outlined the benefits of the new model, which offers immediate access to nearby facilities upon registration, enhancing the accessibility and efficiency of healthcare services.