Senior Advisor in President William Ruto‘s Council of Economic Advisors, Moses Kuria, has called for the arrest of Uasin Gishu Chief Officer of Health, Joyce Sang’.
In a post on his official X account on Friday, October 1, Kuria asserted that Sang’ should be jailed following a controversial letter sent to all health facilities in the county.
The letter directed patients who were beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to pay cash for any services rendered while the modalities of the Social Health Insurance Fund are being addressed.
“The Social Health Authority (SHA) has been established, and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) has commenced operations from 1st October 2024, replacing the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF),” read the letter signed by Joyce Sang’
“Transition is in place; it is in this regard that patients who were beneficiaries of National Health Insurance Fund are required to pay cash for any service offered as modalities of Social Health Insurance Fund are being handled.”
In his response Kuria wrote, “Another candidate for jail.”
Moses Kuria on Hospitals Turning Away Patients
Kuria had earlier explained that hospitals will be allowed to claim funds used for treatment of patients from the government and they, therefore, ought not to deny anyone services.
He encouraged Kenyans to report such incidences since reporting will help the Government point out facilities that are not complying.
“Ignore the demands by the Management to charge cash for the same. In case they persist, report to the nearest police station,” Kuria said while addressing patients in Meru Teaching and Referral Hospitals.
Also Read: Govt Explains Why It Forcefully Migrated Kenyans from NHIF to SHA
SHA Directive to All Hospitals
This comes after Health Principal Secretary (PS) Harry Kimtai directed that all patients admitted under NHIF packages before September 30th will be discharged using NHIF system and no patient should be detained in health facilities.
He affirmed that all public facilities and over 60 per cent of private health facilities have been contracted by SHA and should offer services under SHA seamlessly.
At the same time, hospitals were urged to continue offering services in line with the agreements, ensuring no patient is turned away and that essential treatments such as kidney dialysis, cancer care, and maternity services remain fully accessible.
For instant responses and inquiries, Kenyans have been advised to reach out to toll-free customer care number on 719.
Also Read: Moses Kuria Asks Patients to Report Hospitals to Police Stations
Patients Denied Treatment at Certain Hospitals
The directive was issued after numerous reports from patients nationwide, including those in critical condition, stating they were turned away by various hospitals during the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In response, medical facilities affiliated with faith-based organizations and the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) voiced their concerns regarding the new SHA contracts.
They highlighted that the government owed them Ksh 21 billion through NHIF, emphasizing the need for reconciliation before launching the new system to ensure that each hospital can sign off before NHIF closes.
“The reason why we worry about the transition with the claims pending is because there is going to be a system change and we have experience in the past where the system changes and the claims that were on process get lost and it takes time to have them reconstructed, added and paid,” RUPHA Sec-Gen, Dr. Brian Lishenga said.
“We’ve followed up as FBOs, and individually and as of now it’s about Ksh.6 billion pending. We are concerned that someone could switch off the switch one day and all those claims will be lost.”
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