There is simmering full blown paralysis in all Nairobi County government ran hospitals after the Kenya Health Professionals Society (KHPS) advised its members to down tools citing suspension of comprehensive medical cover.
According to the notice dated March 29, 2023 and addressed to the Nairobi county governor Johnson Sakaja, the society said they have directed their members to commence go slow at their work stations across all the Nairobi county facilities if the withdrawn medical cover is not reinstated.
“Despite our countless efforts to have this insurance cover issue resolved, no tangible solution has been found. We demand that if any officer or their dependents fall sick, the county shall be liable for all the expenses incurred. As health care providers, we demand a comprehensive medical cover with immediate effect.” The letter reads in part.
Besides KHPS, other Nairobi branch unions and associations that signed the joint demand include; Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) and Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists (KNUPT).
In January this year, the National health insurance fund (NHIF) suspended the provision of comprehensive medical cover to employees of the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) over a Sh1.2billion debt.
The staff are currently working at the Nairobi county.
They claimed that the health care providers have been exposed to grave health risks in their line of duty and are forced to incur huge medical expenses over and above the emotional turmoil the situation has predisposed them to.
“We will be picketing every Tuesday and Friday with effect from this Friday March 31, 2023at City Hall until this issue is resolved.” The joint communique to Sakaja reads in part.
Through a letter from the Ministry of Public Service to the county and signed by Principal Secretary Amos Gathecha, NHIF suspended the service with effect January 23, 2023.
“The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the NHIF notice of suspension of the cover for the staff working under your jurisdiction for necessary action.” Part of the correspondence addressed to the Nairobi County Secretary by Gatheca reads in part.
The Ministry regreted that despite a notice to the county asking it to honor the deal by settling the amount such has not been forthcoming.
“It is noted that the said premiums have not been paid to date yet the staff of the former NMS have continued to access the scheme benefits.” The letter by the PS to Nairobi county shows.
It adds, “In this regard, NHIF is unable to continue offering services to the staff of former NMS who are currently working under your jurisdiction.”
The funds, according to the PS, were to be channeled to the Ministry for onward transmission to the insurance fund.
NMS handed over its functions and responsibilities to the Nairobi County governor on September 30 last year.
The key functions included Health, Transport and Planning.
NMS Director Major General Mohammed Badi said it was a remarkable two-year journey that saw change in Nairobi and he was grateful for being part of it.
“I would like to thank governor Sakaja for helping us guide NMS to what we have achieved today… It has been a rigorous and remarkable 2 years culminating to this very moment as we officially handover the transferred functions back to the county government,” he said.
During the ceremony, Sakaja said all staff that were transferred to NMS will be absorbed back into the county.
“There is no former NMS staff or former county gov’t staff, you are all staff of the Nairobi County gov’t and you will work together as equals. We will have space for everybody.” Sakaja said.