The Council of Governors, through its vice-chairperson, Governor Mutahi Kahiga, has called on the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to release outstanding arrears owed to public health facilities. Governor Kahiga, who also serves as the Governor of Nyeri County, voiced concerns about the financial strain these delays have placed on county hospitals, which are crucial in providing health services to the majority of Kenyans.
Public health facilities in Kenya, especially at the county level, have been shouldering the burden of providing medical care to over 80% of the population. However, Governor Kahiga highlighted that many of these facilities are struggling due to the huge amounts owed by the government. For example, Nyeri Referral Hospital, which is one of the key healthcare institutions in the region, was reported to be owed more than Sh270 million as of last week.
The delays in the release of funds, according to Governor Kahiga, have made it nearly impossible for counties to adequately provide essential medical services. This includes a shortage of drugs, medical supplies, and staff, which hinders the ability to offer quality care to the public. Despite SHIF being in its formative stages, the governor emphasized that it is crucial for the fund to prioritize payments to public health facilities whenever funds are available.
Governor Kahiga noted that even with the financial constraints, the government should adopt affirmative action measures to ensure that public hospitals are promptly paid, enabling them to continue operations and deliver vital healthcare services. This issue has been a long-standing concern. In August, governors had already called on the national government to release over Sh8 billion owed to public health facilities as part of the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHIF.
While there has been some response, with President William Ruto announcing in October that his administration would release Sh3 billion to clear some of the arrears, the funds have yet to significantly ease the pressure on public hospitals. Governor Kahiga pointed out that these delayed payments contribute to major challenges in providing necessary treatments and purchasing drugs, which are essential for maintaining public health.
In addition to the financial strain, Governor Kahiga also raised concerns about the seeming preference of SHIF to prioritize private healthcare facilities over public ones when processing claims. This, he argued, is unfair given that public facilities are more accessible to the majority of Kenyans, particularly those in rural areas. Public hospitals not only provide affordable services but are also more likely to have a larger outreach to the grassroots population, making them essential in the country’s efforts to ensure universal health coverage.
Despite these challenges, Governor Kahiga remains hopeful about the potential improvements in public healthcare. He urged the residents of Nyeri to register for SHIF membership, noting that each member contributes Sh900, which could significantly improve health services in local level two and level three hospitals. This is part of a broader effort to raise funds and support the development of healthcare infrastructure.
Governor Kahiga also took the opportunity to showcase the newly renovated emergency and casualty ward at Nyeri Referral Hospital, which has been expanded to accommodate 13 beds. The ward, which now boasts modern emergency equipment such as monitors, is a welcome upgrade aimed at reducing congestion and improving patient care. The renovations were made possible through a partnership between the Polish government and the Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation. This collaboration has led to similar emergency medicine initiatives across the country, including a maternal care center in Vihiga.
Furthermore, Governor Kahiga praised the dedication of healthcare workers at Nyeri Referral Hospital, despite facing a staffing shortfall. The facility’s workforce is currently operating at 45% capacity, below the recommended 60-70%, leading to long hours and overwhelming workloads. To address this, the governor announced that his administration had recruited 300 nurses this year, with plans to recruit more once funding is available.
The Polish government’s involvement, through the Polish Developmental Co-operation, has been a significant factor in supporting emergency care projects across Kenya. Pawel Pijenoski, head of the Polish Embassy’s Developmental Co-operation, emphasized the importance of such investments in emergency medicine, noting that well-equipped emergency wards save resources by preventing complications from untreated medical conditions.
As Kenya grapples with financial constraints in its healthcare system, the timely release of funds to public hospitals is more critical than ever. The government’s support for the public health sector, combined with partnerships with international donors, remains essential in improving healthcare services and advancing the country’s universal health coverage goals.
