The Ministry of Health in Kenya has expressed regret over recent system failures affecting the Social Health Authority (SHA), leading to disruptions in healthcare services across the country. Health Cabinet Secretary (CS), Deborah Barasa, publicly apologized for the breakdown, acknowledging the impact on patients who faced delays in receiving care due to technical difficulties with the SHA platform.
In a statement made during a surprise visit to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), CS Barasa assured the public that the issue, while unfortunate, is not isolated to Kenya. “The incidents on January 14th and 15th, which caused temporary disruptions in patient clearance and billing, have since been resolved. We deeply apologize to our patients, and we want to reassure them that their health remains our top priority,” Barasa explained.
The incident was sparked by a protest from frustrated patients at KNH, who stormed the Health Ministry’s Afya House offices demanding a return of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) system, which had been replaced by the new SHA system. Patients complained about their inability to access timely services despite continuing to pay for healthcare under the SHA. In response, KNH issued a statement acknowledging the technical difficulties and reassuring patients that the system had been restored.
“While there was a temporary setback, we are pleased to inform the public that the SHA system is fully operational and integrated with the KNH system,” said Dr. Enanson Kaimuri, CEO of Kenyatta National Hospital.
However, the situation on the ground remains dire. Numerous patients from different regions, including the Coast and Rift Valley, have voiced their frustration at being unable to access necessary medical services, despite being enrolled in the system and paying their premiums. The challenges are particularly evident in outpatient services, where system failures have forced many patients to pay out-of-pocket for treatment that should have been covered by SHA.
In Kilifi County, for instance, patients have reported being unable to receive treatment for days, with some, like Ms. Jumwa Kenga, whose son needed urgent medical attention, being turned away because the SHA system was down. “I was told to wait, but my son’s condition is getting worse,” Kenga said, expressing fear over the delay in receiving an MRI for her child.
The problems are not isolated to one region. Across the country, patients in public and private health facilities have been faced with a frustrating cycle of system downtime, resulting in significant delays in service delivery. Some patients have been forced to seek treatment elsewhere or pay additional fees to access care, further straining their finances.
In Nakuru County, for example, cancer patients like Marion Wangui have had to purchase medication out of their own pockets, as SHA no longer covers certain treatments that NHIF previously funded. “I never thought I’d be in this situation, but now I have to buy drugs I used to get for free under NHIF,” Wangui lamented.
The SHA system, meant to provide universal health coverage for Kenyans, has faced significant backlash due to its implementation challenges. Critics argue that while the scheme appears promising on paper, its practical application has left many patients vulnerable, especially those requiring specialized care that public facilities cannot provide.
Despite the setbacks, the government and health officials are under increasing pressure to resolve these issues and ensure that patients can access the services they need without further disruption. Community health advocates, including James Omaria, have called for immediate intervention, emphasizing that the failure of SHA to deliver on its promises is jeopardizing public health.
“This system was introduced to improve healthcare access, but instead, it is pushing many patients into self-medication or abandoning their treatment altogether. This is a serious issue that needs urgent attention from the government,” Omaria stressed.
As health officials continue to work on restoring stability to the SHA system, many patients and healthcare providers remain hopeful that the challenges will be addressed soon, enabling Kenyans to access the healthcare they need without unnecessary delays or financial burden. The Health Ministry has vowed to prioritize fixing the system and ensuring it serves the interests of all citizens.
