DP Kindiki acknowledges SHA challenges, pledges gov't action

His admission comes amid growing concerns over persistent technical failures on the SHA portal and the rising burden of out-of-pocket expenses on patients.

With the new health insurance scheme facing challenges, Kindiki convened a health summit at his Karen residence, bringing together stakeholders from counties and the Ministry of Health. 

During the meeting, he recognized the shortcomings of the new health scheme, stating, "We need to do a lot of work. If SHA was working, we wouldn’t have Kenyans complaining."

In response to public outcry, the Deputy President announced that the Ministry of Health is reviewing the Means Testing Tool for SHA contributions to better address Kenyans' concerns. 

The revised tool is expected to be unveiled in the coming days. Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa reinforced the government's commitment to improving the scheme, stating, "We are reviewing the benefits tariffs; they will be announced on March 1st."

A study conducted by the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) indicates that the SHA portal continues to face severe functionality issues, with 89% of healthcare providers reporting challenges. 

The most significant barriers include prolonged system downtime, delays in One-Time Password (OTP) verification, and an inability to track claim approvals—issues that have worsened over the past month. 

Dr. Brian Lishenga highlighted these concerns, stating, "The SHA portal continues to experience serious functionality issues, with 89% of providers reporting challenges. SHA payments to providers remain irregular. Out-of-pocket expenses remain a significant concern."

Further compounding the issue, Ahmed Abdullahi, Chair of the Council of Governors, raised concerns over delayed capitation for Level 2 facilities and untimely reimbursements.

 He also pointed to disruptions in Health Information Management Systems, particularly in the management of HIV data, warning, 

"There have been delays in implementing capitation for Level 2 facilities. The reimbursement is also not timely. Disruption of Health Information Management Systems, like the one in HIV, is also a serious challenge."

Financial strain on healthcare providers remains a pressing issue, with many unable to track claims due to the absence of a settlement monitoring system. 

SHA’s payment settlement rating currently stands at a concerning 37%, further complicating service delivery. 

As frustrations mount, stakeholders are calling for urgent reforms to stabilize reimbursement systems, enhance portal functionality, and improve provider engagement to ensure the success of Kenya’s universal healthcare goals.