The Kenyan government has assured the public that it is taking active steps to address the long-standing debts owed by the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which amount to a staggering Sh19 billion for healthcare providers. This move follows growing concerns from various stakeholders, including health institutions and religious bodies, regarding the outstanding payments that have been affecting service delivery in the country’s healthcare sector.
In a statement, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura revealed that the government has already disbursed Sh5.05 billion to healthcare providers, with Sh938 million going to faith-based hospitals. This marks a significant step towards clearing the debt, and an additional Sh2.5 billion is expected to be disbursed in the coming days. The aim is to ensure that all healthcare providers, especially those in the private and faith-based sectors, continue to offer essential services to the population without financial constraints.
“The government assures that these pending bills will be cleared, allowing all healthcare providers to continue serving our people effectively,” Mwaura stated. His remarks come amid rising concerns over the impact of delayed payments on vulnerable communities, many of whom rely on faith-based health facilities for their healthcare needs. Mwaura emphasized that the government remains committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a central pillar of the country’s health agenda.
To facilitate this, the government is transitioning to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which aims to permanently transform the provision of healthcare. SHIF is expected to expand access to a range of services, including preventive, promotive, palliative, and curative care. More than 14 million Kenyans have already enrolled in the new scheme, with positive feedback from beneficiaries, according to Mwaura.
The government’s efforts to address the NHIF debt come amid criticism from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB). On Thursday, the bishops condemned what they called a “culture of lies,” accusing the government of failing to honor its financial commitments to faith-based health facilities. The KCCB highlighted that many Catholic hospitals were among those owed substantial amounts in unpaid claims, which has severely impacted their ability to serve the needy populations, especially in rural areas.
The bishops expressed frustration over the continued delays in payment and called on the government to take immediate action. In response to these concerns, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa assured the public that the government is actively addressing the outstanding debts. She emphasized that the government’s focus is on ensuring that healthcare providers are paid and can continue to offer quality services to the Kenyan people.
The Social Health Authority (SHA), which is now responsible for managing health insurance claims, has been tasked with reconciling and clearing the NHIF claims between October and November 2024. The defunct NHIF had agreements with over 8,886 healthcare providers, including public, private, and faith-based institutions. Of these, 312 are faith-based organizations that have been particularly affected by the delays in payments.
Mwaura reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the clergy and other stakeholders, stating, “We welcome the bishops’ engagement and value their advocacy for the well-being of Kenyans.” While the government is making efforts to resolve the situation, the road ahead may still present challenges, as the remaining debt continues to place pressure on healthcare providers.
In conclusion, the government’s actions to clear the NHIF debt and transition to SHIF are promising steps toward realizing Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans. However, the real test will be in ensuring that payments are made in a timely and transparent manner, and that the benefits of the new scheme are felt across the nation, especially in the most vulnerable communities. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the government’s promises can translate into tangible improvements in the healthcare system.
