Members of Parliament (MPs) have raised serious concerns regarding the chaotic transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA), which they claim is leaving many patients without access to critical healthcare services.
The issue came to the forefront during an adjournment Motion led by Lilian Gogo, MP for Rangwe, who emphasized the challenges facing the rollout of the new healthcare scheme. Gogo questioned the allocation of resources for essential aspects like the purchase of medical equipment and the training of healthcare workers, and expressed concern over the effectiveness of the new system.
“How much has this particular programme allocated to the purchasing of equipment? How much has this programme allocated for the training of healthcare workers?” Gogo asked. “As much as money is being drawn from my salary, the concern that I have is, does this money reach a poor woman who is going to deliver at Rangwe hospital?”
A key issue raised was the lack of adequate communication and a smooth transition process. Gogo pointed out that citizens, particularly in rural areas, are refusing to register for SHA due to a lack of trust in the administration. She also noted that the six-month transition period had not been properly communicated or implemented.
Gathoni Wamucomba Calls for Reversion to NHIF
Gathoni Wamucomba, MP for Githunguri, called for the suspension of the SHA programme until its problems are resolved, urging that the country revert to the NHIF scheme temporarily.
“We must tell it as it is. This new programme is a total confusion. It’s a total mess. Our people don’t know what to do,” Wamucomba said. “Let us go back to the drawing board. For now, let us withdraw these processes and go back to the original program until we are right.”
Health Disruptions Continue
Since the transition to SHA on October 1, MPs reported widespread disruptions in the provision of healthcare, with many patients being turned away from hospitals. Sabina Chege, a nominated MP and former chair of the Health Committee, highlighted that while NHIF had its challenges, patients knew what to expect and could prepare for their medical costs. Under the new SHA scheme, however, many patients have been left in the dark.
“I urge the chair of the Health Committee to ensure that members conduct a public participation exercise,” Chege said. “We need to better understand how this new system is impacting our constituents.”
MPs Demand Further Briefing and Public Education
Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo called for a Kamukunji (informal meeting) where MPs could be properly briefed on the SHA scheme to help them inform their constituents.
“The cries we are getting from our own constituencies and from ordinary Kenyans indicate that there is a huge problem with this transition,” Odhiambo said. “The transition was not done efficiently, and many of us, including myself as a lawyer, still have questions about how the scheme works. If we, as lawmakers, are unclear, what about ordinary Kenyans?”
Government Defends SHA, Cites Early Successes
In contrast, some MPs, including Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wah, defended the SHA, describing the issues as teething problems that would be addressed over time. Ichung’wah pointed out that over 710,000 people have registered for the scheme and 7,802 hospitals have signed up as service providers. He urged MPs to take the opportunity to educate their constituents about the new system.
“There are challenges, yes, but let us use this opportunity to educate our people and let them know the benefits that will come with this scheme,” Ichung’wah said.
Committee Chair Robert Pukose also pointed to positive outcomes since the launch of SHA, including significant numbers of Kenyans receiving dialysis, cancer care, and other essential health services. According to Pukose, over Sh430 million has been approved for dialysis care, and Sh300 million for cancer care, with an improved turnaround time for pre-authorization.
As MPs continue to scrutinize the rollout of SHA, it is clear that there is significant concern over the smoothness of the transition and its impact on ordinary Kenyans. Lawmakers are calling for a more effective communication strategy and a thorough review of the program to ensure that it meets its objectives of providing affordable, accessible healthcare to all Kenyans.