Faith-Based Hospitals to Cut Off SHA Patients Over Ksh. 10B Govt Debt!

Faith-based health facilities have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government, demanding payment of outstanding claims amounting to over Ksh. 10 billion. Failure to settle the debt, they warn, will force them to stop offering services to patients under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme, leaving only cash payment as an option.

In a statement, the hospitals revealed that the government owes them Ksh. 6.8 billion in unpaid claims from the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), Ksh. 2.15 billion under SHA, and Ksh. 1 billion for the Medical Allowance and Killed in Line of Duty (MAKL) scheme, which covers teachers, police officers, and prison staff.

The mounting debt has placed the faith-based facilities in a financial crisis, resulting in job losses, unpaid suppliers, and the looming threat of closure.

“These delays have crippled our operations, making it difficult to pay staff, purchase medical supplies, and keep our facilities running. If the funds are not released within the next two weeks, we will have no choice but to demand cash payments from patients,” read part of the statement.

Faith-based hospitals play a crucial role in Kenya’s healthcare system, particularly in underserved areas where public health facilities are scarce. The suspension of services under SHA could leave thousands of patients stranded without access to essential medical care.

The government is yet to respond to the ultimatum.