Clinical officers in Nairobi have gone on strike citing the non-payment of salaries owed to interns for a period of seven months.
Carrying posters outside the Social Health Authority (SHA) offices in Nairobi, the medical practitioners stated that they offered months of service without pay.
They added that they deserved to be treated with dignity and get their dues for services rendered.
” We are tired, we need our money. We signed a contract this April, we have not received even a cent,” one of the interns remarked.
He also stated that they should be paid as healthcare providers the same way government officials are paid their salaries.
“We have seen the cabinet secretary get paid money. We want our money, we are not intimidated,” he added.
However, the placards they carried also called for the rejection of SHA reading ‘REJECT SHA’. This comes even as the Ministry of Health continues efforts to ensure the successful launch of the new insurance cover that will see Kenyans access more healthcare services.
Additionally, the officers called out the Ministry of Health for prioritizing Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC)-approved healthcare providers when awarding contracts.
“The SHA board has decided that the only facilities contracted are by KMPDC, but we know over 1,000 facilities that clinical officers own which are registered by the Clinical Officers Council. They are going against the law,” one of the protesters explained.
They faulted SHA’s decision explaining that picking specific hospitals for care denied thousands of Kenyans essential medical services.
“The over 1,000 hospitals SHA have refused to register to receive over 2 million Kenyans,” they stated.
Claims of SHA Discriminating against Clinical Officers
Furthermore, the medical officers termed the move by SHA to lock out some healthcare providers unlawful, sharing that registered and certified hospitals by relevant bodies should be given equal chances to contracts.
“SHA was supposed to facilitate the achievement of the universal healthcare coverage (UHC). It is about access. Those on the SHA board are not following the law. Every facility that is registered and accredited by a relevant body is eligible for a contract so Kenyans can access services,” they added.
Also Read: SHA Lists Contracted Hospitals for Cancer Treatment & Dialysis; How to Check
The clinical officers vowed to continue demanding lawful contract terms that do not discriminate against some hospitals.
“Some people have selfish interests and are pushing the interest of some private entities preventing Kenyans from getting services. We have come here today, and we will continue with the protest. We will sleep here,” they reiterated.
Challenges Facing SHA Rollout
This happens as the Ministry of Health continues to streamline operations at SHA. The Authority urged Kenyans to register for the new health insurance cover to access services in hospitals around the country.
However, the hurdles the rollout of SHA faced included technical hitches in the new system, patients being turned away at some hospitals, and some being asked to pay for services in cash.
Also Read: Govt Explains Why It Forcefully Migrated Kenyans from NHIF to SHA
Besides, stakeholders in the health sector in the country were also against the launch of the new health insurance cover, including KMPDU and the Kenya Renal Association.
Further, the renal association revealed that the halted National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) cover owed practitioners billions that had to be settled before the new SHA system was implemented.
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