Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa visited Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOORTH) in Kisumu on November 18, 2024, as part of the ongoing evaluation of the Social Health Agenda (SHA) rollout across the country.
During her visit, she greeted patients outside the oncology ward and emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing pending bills owed to healthcare facilities that provided services under the previous National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) scheme.
Barasa confirmed that the government had paid Sh5 billion of the Sh19 billion outstanding bill and that an additional Sh2.5 billion would be settled by the end of the week.
She assured the public that public health facilities would be given priority in the clearance of these arrears.
Barasa also mentioned that JOORTH had received part of its outstanding payment, expressing satisfaction with the progress made.
“We are happy with the progress so far, and we have assured JOORTH that by the end of November, they will also receive the first payment under SHA,” she said.
During the visit, Barasa inspected various wards within the facility, including the radiotherapy, maternity, and cancer centers.
She praised JOORTH, a level six(A) hospital, for its progress and noted that one of the challenges raised during the visit was the equitable distribution of radiotherapy centers across the region.
“We are working to ensure that services are evenly distributed across the country and not overly concentrated in Nairobi,” she explained.
Barasa also highlighted the activation of the referral mechanism, ensuring patients are directed to the appropriate levels of care.
She emphasized the importance of expectant mothers accessing essential healthcare services at Level 2, 3, and 4 facilities and reassured the public that no one would be turned away as long as they are registered under SHA, regardless of their ability to pay.
In her remarks, Barasa reiterated the Ministry of Health’s commitment to expanding healthcare capacity, improving infrastructure, and ensuring affordable, high-quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
She urged all stakeholders, including political leaders and healthcare providers, to help promote SHA registration at the grassroots level to ensure widespread access to healthcare.
Tragedy As 5-Year-Old Girl Drowns In Hotel Swimming Pool In Nyali, Mombasa
