Govt Issues Directives to Hospitals on Cancer, Dialysis & Maternity Treatment
Hospitals are now under strict orders to continue providing kidney dialysis, cancer, and maternity services despite the ongoing transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA). The directive, issued by SHA’s acting CEO Elijah Wachira, comes as concerns rise among patients over potential disruption in healthcare services due to the system shift.
Wachira’s communication on Tuesday, October 1, to contracted hospitals stressed that no patient should be denied access to treatment. He emphasised that services such as dialysis and maternity care must continue uninterrupted. This comes after complaints flooded social media, with Kenyans being told they would need to pay out-of-pocket for services previously covered under NHIF.
In his letter to the hospital, Wachira stated, “Further to my earlier letter on the above subject matter, kindly further note that:- No member will be denied Dialysis and Cancer services, Maternity services should not be denied in KEPH level 2 and 3, and Active Managed schemes should continue accessing services.”
Why it matters: The health sector transition is monumental, with over four million Kenyans suffering from kidney disease and a staggering 42,000 new cancer cases reported in 2020 alone lack of directions over the treatment of patients can prove costly for families and patients.
Health CS Dr Deborah Barasa, with PS Mary Muthoni and Director General Dr Patrick Amoth, inspecting key health facilities, including KNH, to evaluate preparedness for the Mpox outbreak, Monday, August 19.
Photo
MoH
Dig deeper: DJ Krowbar, a well-known gospel DJ, raised the alarm after his wife, who relies on dialysis, was informed that she would need to pay Ksh18,000 weekly for her treatment. The shockwave from this revelation spread fast, sparking online outrage.
“So this evening at around 6:30 pm there, my wife got a phone call from her dialysis center. Not only her, but thousands all over the country, that tomorrow morning, 1st of October, if you have to come and do your dialysis, you have to pay cash,” narrated Dj Krowbar in an Instagram post on Monday evening.
However, Wachira reassured the public, clarifying that hospitals must honour their contractual obligations under the new SHA system, ensuring no patient is asked to pay for essential services. His response aims to calm the storm stirred by the confusion surrounding the NHIF replacement.
Starting today, anyone visiting a public hospital with an NHIF card will be required to re-register under SHA to access medical services. The government hopes to generate Ksh148 billion annually from the scheme, intended to bolster Kenya’s healthcare system. Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa recently explained this to the Departmental Committee on Health, revealing that the government has secured just over two million subscriptions since the registration opened on July 1.
Barasa’s appearance before Parliament followed a series of challenges, including a failed Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS) test run in Marsabit and Tharaka Nithi counties. This failure cast doubt on SHA’s preparedness to handle the country’s healthcare needs, leading to increased scepticism.
As the NHIF system begins its phase-out, salaried Kenyans will face new deductions—2.75 per cent of their monthly earnings. For example, those earning Ksh20,000 will pay Ksh550, while those with Ksh100,000 salaries will be deducted Ksh2,750. This is a significant increase from the NHIF rates, where top earners paid only Ksh1,700. Health officials explained that a ‘means testing tool’ would determine contributions based on a person’s financial situation, including luxury item ownership.
What MPs said: In a controversial test, lawmakers were shocked when the tool calculated a poor farmer’s household should contribute Ksh20,000 despite his inability to afford even a basic meal. This raised concerns about the fairness of the assessment tool.
Critics have compared SHA’s rollout to the troubled implementation of Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), warning the government may be overreaching. MPs have called for more clarity and gradual implementation to avoid potential chaos.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry insists the transition is necessary, with Health Director-General Patrick Amoth stating that it is informed by extensive research. Despite this, lawmakers remain wary of the ambitious goal of capping SHA’s administrative expenses at 5 per cent, especially when NHIF struggled to keep theirs under 15 per cent.
Acting Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth.
Photo/Ministry of Health
