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The government, through the Social Health Authority (SHA), has cleared Sh3.7 billion in outstanding bills owed to various healthcare facilities, including Sh1.4 billion in arrears for the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
During a meeting with faith-based health stakeholders on Monday, Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa confirmed significant progress in the rollout of the Taifa Care program and the SHA, with over 15.2 million Kenyans now registered.
Barasa emphasized that the SHA will provide Kenyans with free primary healthcare services at public health facilities, as well as at contracted private and faith-based healthcare providers. The program covers 8,336 healthcare facilities, including 5,210 government-owned, 319 faith-based, and 2,807 private facilities.
“The government’s goal is to ensure that all Kenyans, regardless of their income or location, have access to quality healthcare while protecting them from financial hardship. The Ministry of Health is committed to delivering affordable, high-quality healthcare for all,” she stated.
The CS also highlighted the essential role played by faith-based organizations, particularly in rural and underserved areas, where they are often the only available healthcare providers. She praised their ongoing efforts and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to ensuring equitable healthcare access for all Kenyans.
“Faith-based health organizations are crucial in expanding healthcare access, especially in remote areas, where they are often the only healthcare facility. Their unwavering commitment to providing essential services is commendable,” she said.
CS Barasa also confirmed that the Ministry of Health has already paid Sh5.05 billion to healthcare providers, including Sh938.6 million to faith-based facilities, to settle outstanding debts from the former NHIF. She added that the SHA is currently reviewing claims from October 2024 and is mobilizing additional funds to clear any remaining payments.
The meeting, which included Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health, Dr. Mohammed Abdi, Chairperson of SHA, and leaders from the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), served as a platform for discussing challenges and solutions related to the SHA rollout across healthcare facilities.
On November 15, the government pledged to clear outstanding bills owed to faith-based hospitals. Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed that Sh938 million had already been released to these facilities, with an additional Sh2.5 billion expected in the coming days.
Mwaura also reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the historical NHIF debt, which stands at an estimated Sh19 billion owed to healthcare providers nationwide. “The government is actively addressing the NHIF debt, including the Sh19 billion owed to healthcare providers. So far, Sh5.05 billion has been disbursed, with Sh938 million going to faith-based hospitals and Sh2.5 billion set to be released shortly,” the statement read.
