President William Ruto’s senior economic advisor, Moses Kuria, has praised the Social Health Authority (SHA) for its efficiency across both public and private hospitals in Kenya. Speaking on Spice FM, Kuria emphasized that SHA does not discriminate between state-owned and private health facilities, ensuring that patients receive equal quality of care regardless of where they seek treatment.
Kuria noted that the primary goal of SHA is to provide a seamless experience for Kenyans, allowing them to access health services with ease, whether at a public or private hospital. “The thing about those level 2, 3, 4, and level 5 hospitals is that they are not the only ones under SHA. You get treated in a private hospital in exactly the same way you will be treated in a public hospital. SHA does not discriminate,” Kuria stated.
He acknowledged that the overwhelming numbers at level 5 and level 6 hospitals, such as Kenyatta National Hospital, had resulted in challenges within the system. The surge in patients accessing care has led to some technological issues, notably a misalignment with the providers portal. Despite these glitches, Kuria assured the public that no patient is being turned away, and the government is committed to addressing these setbacks swiftly.
Kuria also highlighted that the SHA system has sparked healthy competition between private and public health facilities. He believes this “sibling competition” will foster improvements on both sides, creating a mutually beneficial environment for the healthcare sector. He described it as a “self-correcting system,” where challenges are viewed as opportunities to enhance service delivery.
The senior economic advisor acknowledged that the rollout of the SHA system is an ongoing process. Given its unprecedented nature, he admitted that it is not without its flaws, but he remains optimistic about its future. “We are working on progress. I am not claiming perfection. But what I am claiming is that every single problem that happens becomes an opportunity for us to fix the system,” Kuria stated.
He urged Kenyans facing any difficulties with the SHA system, such as being turned away from public hospitals, to contact him directly with their details and the health facilities they visited. Kuria’s proactive approach reflects the government’s determination to improve the health sector and make healthcare more accessible to all citizens.
In conclusion, while there are hurdles to overcome, the government remains committed to ensuring that the SHA system fulfills its promise of equitable and quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
