Clergy issue two-week SHA suspension notice over huge debts
They say the pending bills have crippled services at their facilities leading to job losses and near closure
Faith-based health hospitals have given the state a 14-day ultimatum to clear their debts, including Ksh 6.8 billion claims accrued the defunct National Health Insurance (NHIF).
Other demands are the clearance of debts incurred by the Social Health Insurance Fund deduction and Ksh 1 billion under the Teachers, National Police Officers, Prison Warders and Staff and Teachers Scheme, which is under Medical Administrator of Kenya Limited-MAKL, all totalling Ksh 10 billion.
The clergy said the huge pending bills owed by the government to them has crippled services at their facilities leading to job losses and near closure.
“The Kenya Faith Based Health Services Providers are issuing a 14-day ultimatum demanding immediate payment of outstanding NHIF, SHA, MAKL debt totalling Ksh 10 billion, failure to which, we will be forced to suspend offering services to beneficiaries of the said scheme and offer the services to them on a cash payment basis,” they stated.
They cited the lengthy process inquired in following the SHA claims adding that there is no different with the past faced out NHIF.
“Claims can be stagnant for up to five months or even more. This area requires much improvement,” the clergy stated.
They further stated that the scheme lacks sufficient stuff to assist in the county and national hospital as they urged President William Ruto to ensure they get additional staff and training of the personnel’s to ensure effective implantation.
They called for the replacement of MAKL to enhance financial stability
Another concern raised was the SHA’s insufficient staff to assist county and national hospitals. The hospitals called on additional staff and training sessions to be conducted for effective implementation of the health scheme.
Their call comes even as RUPHA has made it clear that the suspension of services under MAKL will continue due to the lack of engagement and action from the provider.
They also withdrew from the Medical Administrator Kenya Limited (MAKL) scheme, which covers teachers and police officers, citing 11 months of unpaid claims, unexplained fee deductions, and preferential treatment of MAKL-owned clinics.
