CS Nakhumicha on NHIF scandal: All suspended facilities were given 24 hours to vacate patients

This follows an exposé that revealed that a number of private hospitals in Nairobi and Meru Counties are part of an elaborate syndicate working with unscrupulous NHIF staff to rob unsuspecting citizens and government of the healthcare funds.

This prompted CS Nakhumicha to suspend all NHIF branch managers in areas affected alongside about 7 facilities, pending investigations.

While appearing before the Parliamentary Health Committee on Tuesday, CS Nakhumicha was fronted to elucidate on the precautionary measures she took before suspending the facilities, given that admitted patients would be affected.

She said that she had a candid conversation with the NHIF chair Michael Kamau together with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) CEO Gicheru Kariuki before giving the directive.

"We did not just suspend these facilities I gave them 24 hours to vacate patients because I knew there would be an impact. So within the 24 hours, they ought to have vacated the patients to other hospitals," she said.

"And one of the facilities had the audacity to write back and tell me that 'we have over 200 admissions what do they do' and they said vacate the patients. The only patients who will remain in this facility until available spaces [are] found are those in ICU and HDU."

Meanwhile, CS Nakhumicha has made a request to the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) to liaise with the NHIF board to scrutinize how the cartels managed to draw funds from NHIF.

She also directed the KMPDC and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) to immediately commence investigations on six medical facilities implicated in the scandal and conclude the probe within 48 hours.

“Additionally we are going to commence an elaborate lifestyle audit on all staff of NHIF,” added the CS while issuing the suspension order.