The Kenyan government has announced plans to launch dedicated hotlines for citizens to report instances of denied healthcare services following the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Highlights
- The shift from NHIF to SHIF has led to mixed reactions from Kenyans
- Most Kenyans complained that some hospitals are only accepting cash payments after the shift
- Moses Kuria claims hotline numbers are being developed to report such incidences
According to the Senior Advisor in President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisors, John Kuria, the hotlines will serve as a crucial channel for feedback, allowing the government to identify and address any issues arising from the new healthcare scheme.
“We are committed to ensuring that all Kenyans have access to quality healthcare. We will be using the complaints received to improve the system and hold healthcare providers accountable,” Kuria stated in an interview.
The government has directed all contracted healthcare providers to continue offering services to patients, regardless of their payment status. Additionally, a nationwide sensitization campaign is being planned in partnership with media outlets and stakeholders to educate the public about the benefits of the SHIF.
Concerns from the shift
Concerns have been raised about the potential disruptions caused by the transition, as some patients, particularly those requiring dialysis or cancer treatment, have reported being turned away or asked to pay out-of-pocket.
The Health Principal Secretary, Harry Kimtai, has reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting healthcare facilities during this transition period and has encouraged hospitals to continue providing treatment services. He noted that many healthcare providers have already signed contracts under the SHIF’s Healthcare Provider (HCP) provisions.
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