A daughter’s defense of SHA left Dr Dan Gikonyo on the spot on Tuesday, August 18, after President William Ruto produced payment records from The Karen Hospital that appeared to undermine the renowned cardiologist’s concerns about hospital reimbursements.
The dramatic exchange at the National Health Summit in Nairobi unfolded after Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris delivered a message she said the founder of The Karen Hospital had sent, questioning the Social Health Authority’s (SHA) payment record to health facilities.
Passaris told the summit that Dr Gikonyo wanted accountability on money allegedly owed to hospitals by SHA.
“Are you aware that many hospitals have not been reimbursed? Can you also tell us how much SHA owes hospitals for services already rendered?” Passaris asked on his behalf.
Ruto Reveals SHA Records
However, Ruto immediately pushed back, challenging the allegation and demanding specifics.
“Let’s not talk generalities. Many hospitals have not been reimbursed. Which ones? It’s good to be candid,” the President said.
In a move that shifted the tone of the discussion, Ruto asked Passaris to call Dr Gikonyo directly so he could explain his concerns.
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However, the cardiologist did not answer the call, and the legislator suggested he may have been in theatre attending to patients.
With the claims hanging over the summit, Ruto directed SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi to retrieve real-time reimbursement records for The Karen Hospital.
The figures presented before delegates painted a picture that sharply contrasted with the concerns relayed by Passaris.
Mwangangi disclosed that The Karen Hospital had submitted claims worth Ksh302.59 million since the rollout of SHA.
Of that amount, Ksh201.5 million, representing about 66.5 percent, had already been paid by the authority.
The disclosure prompted Ruto to address Dr Gikonyo directly.
“Dr Gikonyo, wherever you are, it’s good to be truthful. We want to answer to facts,” the President said.
Daughter Defends SHA
However, the most striking moment came when Dr Juliet Gikonyo, speaking on behalf of The Karen Hospital, gave an assessment that appeared to contradict concerns attributed to her father.
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She told the summit that The Karen Hospital had worked closely with SHA and had successfully undertaken several specialized cardiac procedures through the program, including angiographies, angioplasties, electrophysiology studies, and open-heart surgeries for both adults and children.
Dr Juliet further said the hospital’s relationship with SHA had been better than its previous experience under the National Hospital Insurance Fund due to enhanced collaboration on operations, claims management and payments.
When Ruto asked her about reports that The Karen Hospital had not been paid by SHA, she dismissed the claims.
“That is incorrect. To date, we have received over 100 million Kenyan shillings from SHA, and we are very appreciative of that,” she said.
She also described claims that the hospital had not been paid by SHA as incorrect information, agreeing that such reports amounted to misinformation.
Her remarks undercut the concerns Passaris raised on behalf of her father and gave Ruto an opportunity to reinforce the government’s defense of the health insurance program.
The government used the summit to showcase what it considers one of the biggest achievements of the health reforms, saying more than 31 million Kenyans have been onboarded onto SHA.
The summit reviewed progress in maternal and child health programs, with discussions focusing on improving access to care and reducing preventable deaths.
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