Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Harry Kimtai and Social Health Authority (SHA) Board Chairman Dr. Abdi Mohamed yesterday urged Members of the National Assembly to back efforts aimed at increasing enrollment in the Social Health Authority registration campaign.
Speaking during the National Assembly’s midterm retreat in Naivasha, the two officials emphasized the pivotal role of the SHA program in advancing the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
They stressed that higher enrollment is critical to ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for all Kenyans.
Dr. Mohamed revealed that while the SHA program, through the Taifa Care initiative, has so far registered 22 million Kenyans, only 4 million are actively paying members.
The remaining 18 million have yet to fulfill their premium obligations, creating a significant funding gap that threatens the program’s sustainability.
“We need your support as leaders to take this message to your constituents and rally them to register and pay their premiums,” Dr. Mohamed told the legislators. “Your influence is crucial in bridging the gap between government initiatives and the citizens.”
He further urged legislators to educate the public on the benefits of joining the program and paying premiums based on their ability to contribute.
Dr. Kimtai highlighted the transformative potential of the SHA program, noting that it could alleviate the financial burden of healthcare for vulnerable populations if properly implemented. He urged MPs to champion the program in their constituencies, framing it as a critical step toward achieving health equity.
“This initiative is not just about healthcare; it’s about ensuring fairness and dignity for every Kenyan. We need your leadership to make this vision a reality,” the PS said.
SHA Acting CEO Robert Ingasira acknowledged challenges in communication and outreach efforts but appealed to MPs to become goodwill ambassadors.
He noted that, despite setbacks, there was room to register more Kenyans and pledged that gaps in service delivery were being addressed.
“I thank all members whom we worked closely together during the festivities to shove up the numbers that now we stand at 22 million members registered under the program. There is still room to register more Kenyans under this program,’ said Ingasira.
“There are indeed challenges but we are working around the clock to resolve all of them,” he added.
Despite the appeal, the legislators were quick to push back, citing numerous challenges facing the program.
Key among them were concerns about poor service delivery, poor communication, inadequate funding, unclear implementation frameworks, and the already-strained relationship between citizens and the healthcare system.
Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, criticized SHA’s inadequate public outreach, saying, “Your communication is shambolic. MPs are mobilizing Kenyans on their own volition because SHA is failing in its role. If members of Parliament can’t explain the benefits, how do you expect villagers to understand?”
Hon. Ichung’wah urged SHA to engage vernacular radio stations and simplify messages for better public understanding.
He also questioned the semi-autonomous agency’s capacity, calling for more accountability and efficiency.
“You are not communicating with Kenyans, until and unless those from the ministry speak. SHA, these members of parliament are trying on their own volition, to try and mobilize Kenyans to register. So you tell us what your challenges are?” Hon. Ichung’wah added.
He went on: As the Chairman of SHA, you clearly can tell anything. What we are saying is that, either those in SHA have no capacity, or you are unwilling to do your job.”
According to Hon. Ichung’wah, who is also the Kikuyu legislator, the PS seem to have more information than you (Board Chairperson), because SHA cannot tell us information that should be with Kenyans is in a legal notice.
“If Members of Parliament, cannot tell the benefits, how do you expect the villagers to know? Simple communication thing.”
“As you put the adverts in the TV stations, why don’t you just put it down in the vernacular stations and lead Kenyans to point out where you publish those notices to let them know what charges you are paying, or what ailment, and what facility, so that you communicate effectively with the Kenyan people.
“Because the challenge you have is that of communication. And it can’t be the PS is coming to communicate on behalf of SHA.”
According to him, Parliament enacted laws for SHA, but did not envisage that the enacted laws that the PS or the ministry would superintend over the authority.
“The authority is semi-autonomous, and you must show us that you have the capacity and ability to manage the institution. If you are not, you tell us you are not able and then the ministry or the government, or us, ourselves, we can take measure,” he held.
Kabondo Kasipul MP Hon. Eve Obara described the program as a “hard sell,” given its financial struggles and lack of transparency.
“My constituents are suffering. There are no services provided under this program. Can the ministry come up with a questionnaire to know where there are challenges in this program so as to address the challenge of lack of services in our health facilities,” she said.
Nairobi Woman Representative Hon. Esther Passaris echoed these frustrations, raising concerns about the program’s inclusivity, particularly for people with disabilities. “Families with disabled children are struggling to register them. What are you doing to address this?” she asked.
Igembe South MP Hon. John Paul Mwirigi decried the lack of services for registered patients. “It is heartbreaking that patients are denied treatment and medication despite being registered,” he lamented.
Hon Mwirigi noted that patients are complaining that the Taifa Care is not working as most facilities not catering for patients under SHA program.
“It is hurting that many patients are unable to get service including treatment and purchase of medicine yet they are registered,” said Hon. Mwirigi.
On his part, Kitutu Chache South MP Hon. Anthony Kibagendi questioned how the Social Health Authority planned to address the funding shortfall and ensure increased public awareness.
“Your presentation is shallow and is not telling is anything at, first, the bulk of benefits in SHA program are inferior to what NHIF was doing,” lamented Hon. Kibagendi.
“You are asking us to rally people to register, but where is the money to sustain this initiative? What measures are in place to ensure its success?” the Hon. Kibagendi posed.
“There you huge pending bills from inherited NHIF, but you are not paying the facilities that were owed by NHIF. Even those that are offering services under the new model, are not also not being because the premium as the service being offered under SHA and Taifa Care, are so inferior compared to NHIF,” he added.
Dr. Mohamed said that they are working with the ministries and government agencies to budget and remit the outstanding NHIF debts.
Dr. Mohamed admitted to the funding gaps but assured the MPs that the government was working to address the issue. “We acknowledge the financial challenges, but we remain committed to ensuring the success of this program. We are exploring partnerships with development agencies to bridge the gaps,” he explained.
PS Kimtai revealed that the state department of medical services together with National Treasury have continued to reduce the debts owned to health facilities empanelled by NHIF and as of October 2024, they had paid a total of Ksh 10 billion out the cumulative pending bill of Ksh 18 billion.
“All the debts and liabilities of NHIF will transit to SHA.I have directed SHA to undertake audit of the debts before clearing any claims,” the PS told MPs.
“SHA is currently up to date and all claims are being scrutinized for the purposes of payments,” he held.
The PS reiterated that patients who registered but not paid up will get services at level 2 and 3 without paying any premium.
“Are there any success stories about the SHA program? If there are, have they been communicated? Because from the look of things, there seem to be none, judging by the noise surrounding this issue,” said Bura MP Hon. Yakub Adow.
Further, Mandera North MP Bashir Abdullahi asked about the agency was doing on the provision of free primary health care saying the lifestyle of pastoral communities are at the bottom.
“What measures are you putting in place to ensure these communities are not left behind? The services are not even there in the first place, what the ministry is doing to bridge the gaps that are evident,” posed Abdullahi.
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