Drama unfolded at the Ministry of Health’s Afya House headquarters in Nairobi when disgruntled patients stormed the building to voice their complaints about the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Patients from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Wednesday, January 15, brought operations at Afya House to a standstill as they expressed their frustrations with SHA.
The incident happened at the same venue where Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa and other ministry officials were addressing journalists.
In a video seen by The Kenya Times, one of the female patients complained about having to walk from KNH to the Ministry’s headquarters to submit their complaints after receiving no assistance at the hospital.
“From yesterday he (a male patient) has been waiting for SHA to work, but it is not working. We have patients who are sitting out there waiting for that SHA and it is not working, they are not approving. We have walked to NHIF (current SHA building), and we have been told that they are not accessing the portal. We have been in Kenyatta waiting for that portal to open and it is not opening it is not working please be aware that it is not working,” she said.
Patients storm Afya House
The enraged woman also complained that some patients who had traveled from different parts of the country including Kibwezi and Mombasa were camping outside Afya House with the same SHA complaints.
Also Read: Ruto Speaks of Cancelling SHIF Over Adani Connection
She further claimied that the SHA system has not been working since Wednesday last week.
“We are not alone. There are patients waiting outside the gate, they have been calling me. We have gone to the NHIF offices and even the ICT department. I have gone to the pre-authorization they are not able to give us any access they are not able to get into the portal.”
Another patient named Diana, who revealed that she recently underwent a Caesarean Section, also complained that she has not received attention at Kenya’s largest hospital as no service can be provided without SHA.
Also Read: Health CS Gives Way Forward for Kenyans Who Want Their SHA Contribution Lowered
SHA complaints
The incident adds to the growing concerns raised by members of the public about the potential risks that have been posed by the transition from the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA, with many fearing disruptions in access to healthcare services.
In December last year, CS Barasa said that more than 17 million Kenyans have been registered with the Social Health Authority since its Inception.
Barasa while speaking during a SHA registration and sensitization program said that the figure included all verified members previously enrolled in NHIF.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and join our WhatsApp Group for real-time news updates.
