Faith-based health facilities threaten to halt SHA services, demand Ksh.10B settlement

According to a statement from the hospitals, the government owes them Ksh.6.8 billion in unpaid claims under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), Ksh.2.15 billion in claims under SHA, and Ksh.1 billion for MAKL (the Teachers, Police, and Prisons Scheme). 

The huge debt has crippled the FBO health facilities, leading to job losses, unpaid vendors, and threats of collapse and closure of the said facilities. 

The hospitals also faulted the lengthy process taken to process the SHA claims, citing that it mirrors the past NHIF system. 

"Clinical review claims can be stagnant for up to five months or more based on our experience to date, and this is an area that requires much improvement," the statement read in part. 

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. 

Furthermore, faith-based hospitals advocated for the MAKL scheme to be placed under SHA in order to improve its financial sustainability. 

"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."