The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has expressed support for the Social Health Authority (SHA), despite acknowledging the system’s challenges. KMPDU Secretary-General, Davji Atellah, emphasized the importance of SHA’s success in protecting healthcare jobs, particularly for medical professionals across the country.
During an interview with NTV on Tuesday, Atellah highlighted the difficulties that SHA has encountered since its rollout, but stressed that it must work for the benefit of both patients and healthcare workers. “Our stand as a union on SHA is that, yes, it has challenges, but it must work,” he stated. “If it doesn’t work, doctors will lose their jobs. How can we provide services in hospitals if patients cannot afford treatment?”
This marks a significant shift in KMPDU’s stance on the Social Health Authority, as the union had initially opposed the introduction of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). KMPDU’s previous criticisms focused on the perceived inadequacies of SHIF, which was seen as a potential barrier to accessible healthcare. The union’s primary concern was the replacement of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) with SHIF, which they argued offered better coverage and was more sustainable.
Atellah’s previous criticisms centered on the transition from NHIF to SHIF, calling the move detrimental to civil servants and pointing out that NHIF provided a more comprehensive medical package than private insurance plans. He labeled the shift as a “double robbery,” claiming it unfairly benefited private insurers at the expense of public servants. “This is an injustice we cannot accept,” he remarked, reflecting KMPDU’s initial opposition to the SHA system.
However, KMPDU’s support for SHA signals a shift in approach, as the union recognizes the potential benefits of the system, despite the hurdles it has faced. The government has actively campaigned for Kenyans to register for SHA, arguing that its benefits far outweigh those of NHIF. As of January 29, a total of 18,519,609 people had registered for SHA, with the Ministry of Health reporting a notable surge in registrations.
In a positive development, the Ministry revealed that the efficiency of the SHA process has improved. The time taken for pre-authorizations has been reduced to 12.9 minutes for outpatient services, while inpatient-related approvals have been cut down to just 3 hours from the previous 6 hours. This increase in efficiency is seen as a step in the right direction, as SHA continues to evolve and address concerns.
As KMPDU aligns itself with SHA, the union underscores that for the system to succeed, it must overcome its current challenges to ensure job security for healthcare workers and provide quality, affordable healthcare to Kenyans.
