The Ministry of Health has reassured the public that no patient will be denied access to hospitals during the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a statement released on Thursday, the ministry emphasized its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare access.
“SHA aims to enhance healthcare access for all Kenyans, ensuring that both public facilities and over 60% of private institutions are contracted to provide services without disruption,” the statement noted.
The Ministry also highlighted that technical teams are actively working to accommodate increased user demand as the country moves to this new healthcare system.
“An updated list of contracted health facilities can be found on the SHA website and will be continuously revised to reflect any changes and additions,” the ministry added.
Afya House has announced the establishment of a registration window for Kenyans enrolling with the SHA, allowing them to receive treatment at contracted facilities without incurring out-of-pocket expenses.
Members previously registered with NHIF are entitled to services according to the premiums they had paid.
Sultani Matendechero, Acting Deputy Director General for Health, encouraged more individuals to register for SHA, which has now surpassed 12 million registrations.
He reiterated that all individuals should receive services without interruption and assured that hospitals should not turn away patients for lack of registration.
Health Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai added that the ministry would clarify service levels and contracts to facilitate a smooth transition.
He also committed to enhancing public communication via social media and the SHA website to address common inquiries related to member registration, dependents, and service access.
Hospitals have been urged to comply with SHA agreements to ensure essential treatments remain accessible to all.
However, the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) has raised concerns regarding the SHA benefits scheme, arguing that it could restrict access to healthcare.
They assert that the reimbursement packages for hospitals do not adequately cover the true cost of health services, potentially resulting in additional expenses for patients.
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