The government’s rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) has faced fresh criticism. Concerns are growing over how the government plans to pilot the program. On Tuesday, private healthcare providers raised issues regarding a lack of formal contracts from the government. This has intensified skepticism about the readiness of the healthcare system.
Private Hospitals Unprepared for SHIF Rollout
Brian Lishenga, Chairperson of the Kenya Rural and Private Hospital Association, voiced these concerns during a talk show on Citizen TV. Lishenga noted that the private healthcare sector is not fully prepared for the SHIF transition. He added that the government has yet to engage with private hospitals by providing formal contracts under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
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“No private healthcare provider in the country has received a contract with SHA,” said Lishenga. He pointed out that this lack of engagement demonstrates a worrying level of unpreparedness. Lishenga further stated, “There is no single health provider with a contract, and the government is rushing to reach out to them last minute.“
Government’s Last-Minute Scramble for SHIF Contracts
Despite the government maintaining confidence in its SHIF rollout, many private hospitals have yet to receive necessary agreements. According to Lishenga, the government began urgently trying to sign contracts with private providers as recently as Monday evening.
Lishenga shared, “Across the country, private healthcare providers were scrambling for contracts. We were urged to help them sign with SHA.” This last-minute effort has raised concerns about how smoothly the new health insurance scheme will operate in the coming days.
Registration Challenges for Kenyans
The government has urged Kenyans to register with SHIF to access medical services across public and private hospitals. However, many citizens remain unregistered, further complicating the rollout process. The delay in contract distribution has left private hospitals in limbo, leading to concerns that patients may face difficulties in accessing healthcare under the new system.
Lishenga emphasized that the government’s urgency has led to logistical issues. He revealed, “We have cooperated, but the government has been slow in preparing contracts. Even as of Tuesday night, no one in the private sector had a formal contract with SHA.”
Hasty Rollout May Lead to Gaps in SHIF Implementation
According to Lishenga, the government’s decision to rush the SHIF rollout could result in the exclusion of critical players. He stated, “Important stakeholders are being left out due to the rush. As of yesterday, NHIF officers were scrambling to deliver contracts to healthcare providers physically.”
This hurried approach is likely to impact the seamless integration of SHIF, with the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) set to be retired today. All Kenyans seeking healthcare services must now register with SHIF, but delays in contract signing could create significant disruptions.
SHIF Replaces NHIF Amid Growing Criticism
As the SHIF program officially launches today, private and public healthcare providers must adopt the new system. However, concerns remain about the efficiency of the transition. Without signed contracts between the government and healthcare providers, the program could face early challenges.
Health Cabinet Secretary Debra Barasa has assured the public that SHIF will revolutionize healthcare in Kenya. During her vetting in July 2024, Barasa emphasized that the new insurance scheme would enhance healthcare accessibility. Despite these assurances, private healthcare providers remain skeptical about the program’s implementation.
