Kindiki admits SHA problems, promises quick fixes
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki speaks during the 1st health summit on February 17, 2025 at the Deputy President’s residence in Karen.
What you need to know:
- Ahmed Abdullahi, chair of the council of governors said that as of yesterday, counties were owed about Sh7.5 billion in unpaid claims by SHA.
- He faulted the inefficient e-claims machines for causing delays as he urged the government to fully implement the primary healthcare fund and the emergency and chronic illness fund.
The government has accepted that there exist cracks in the Social Health Authority (SHA), but assured quick fixes to facilitate Universal Health Coverage.
In a consultative meeting held at the Deputy President’s residence in Karen, Prof Kithure Kindiki said government officials should paint the reality of SHA progress as it is hoodwinking Kenyans to believe that the transition from the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) has been smooth sailing.
In attendance was the Council of Governors by virtue of Health being a devolved function and officials from the Ministry of Health.
“We need to do a lot of work, especially on the efficiency aspect. Let us stop defending ourselves. We should take criticism and feedback positively. If we were doing well, the public would not be complaining. If you hear complaints then it means there is something we can do better,” Prof Kindiki said.
“If we lose the window in the next three months, we will lose public goodwill on this matter,” he added.
The meeting was responding to key issues raised by Kenyans on SHA that needed reconsideration.
Prof Kindiki said that there are three areas that the government is already considering revamping based on the complaints raised.
These include reviewing the emergency and chronic illness fund as well as the primary healthcare fund by Sh3 billion each and another Sh1.8 billion for maternity-related services enshrined in Linda Mama that will also cater to those with teenage pregnancies.
Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Deborah Barasa also added that there will be a review of benefits and tariffs under SHA in the coming months which will be catered for through a supplementary budget that has been proposed to parliament.
“There will be an increase in funding for the ICU to Sh28,000 per day from the previous daily rebate of Sh4,480 daily. There will also be an additional Sh150, 000 for cancer patients per household every year, amounting to a cumulative Sh550, 000,” she said.
The government has also considered upgrading to a new Means Testing algorithm to ensure smooth data integration, saying that it will now rely on existing government databases.
The following will be the sources of data; Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Kenya Revenue Authority, Immigration Department, Hustler Fund, Communication Authority, Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), Ministry of Cooperatives, Ministry of Lands, Registrar of Companies and the Insurance Regulatory Authority.
“Once the new means testing instrument is ready, we shall plug in the Insurance Premium Financing to support households with irregular sources of income,” said the CS.
So far, about 19.5 million Kenyans have registered from SHA –almost double the number of those who had registered for the defunct NHIF.
Unfortunately, out of this number, Prof Kindiki said that only about 3.5 million Kenyans fully pay for their premiums, another 1.5 million people registered but are not able to pay while 14.5 million of those who are registered are only benefitting from primary health care services.
Prof Kindiki explained that for Kenyans to access the full benefits of the Social Health Insurance Fund, they need to fully pay for the premiums, without it, other secondary and tertiary services will be paid out of pocket.
The government has now set a deadline of February 28 for all stakeholders to consolidate all the teething problems and come up with solutions that will propel the Kenya Kwanza government to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
After that, the government will embark on a nationwide campaign to ensure that most Kenyans register for the Social Health Authority.
Ahmed Abdullahi, chair of the council of governors said that as of yesterday, counties were owed about Sh7.5 billion in unpaid claims by SHA.
He faulted the inefficient e-claims machines for causing delays as he urged the government to fully implement the primary healthcare fund and the emergency and chronic illness fund.
He also cited that there are delays in the implementation of the capitation for the lower-level facilities.
One of the recommendations from Prof Kindiki was coming up with a clear output of all levels I, II, and III for capitation.
