SHA suspends MP Shah Hospital over alleged illegal billing
The Social Health Authority (SHA) has suspended M.P. Shah Hospital from its panel of accredited healthcare providers over allegations of illegal billing practices, making it the largest private hospital to face sanctions since the rollout of the country’s new public health insurance scheme.
The suspension, which took effect on June 23, 2026, will remain in force pending the outcome of investigations into complaints that patients may have been charged for services that should have been fully covered under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
In a notice issued on Tuesday, June 24, 2026 SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi said the suspension affects services offered under all four schemes administered by the authority, including the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHCF), the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF), and the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).
SHA said the move was necessary to safeguard public funds and ensure compliance with the rules governing the country’s universal health coverage programme.
M.P. Shah Hospital confirmed receiving the suspension notice and pledged to cooperate fully with investigators while undertaking an internal review of its billing systems.
“If any of our patients were required to make payments that should have been covered under their SHIF benefit, that falls short of the standard we hold ourselves to, and we are committed to investigating and correcting it,” the hospital said in a statement.
However, SHA leadership clarified that patients admitted before the suspension date will continue receiving treatment at the facility, with SHA settling their bills until discharge.
However, patients requiring outpatient or follow-up services have been advised to seek treatment at other SHA-contracted hospitals.
With 210 beds, 30 critical care beds, 10 dialysis units and 12 chemotherapy units, M.P. Shah Hospital is the largest private healthcare institution suspended by SHA, which has intensified scrutiny of providers following previous crackdowns on fraudulent claims that health officials say threaten the sustainability of Kenya’s universal health coverage programme.
