Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has weighed into the challenges being faced by the government in the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a statement dated Wednesday, November 13, the MP opined that the implementation of the new health cover was characterised by confusion owing to critical things that were overlooked during the transition.
For starters, the MP noted that the government failed to pilot the programme in some counties before being rolled out across the country.
Wamuchomaba also wondered why the government failed to conduct the means testing exercise for informal households prior to the launch of the programme.
Read More
I applaud all civil organisations that form this coalition and pledge my support . Every mother counts pic.twitter.com/KQTrabUj1i
— Hon.Gathoni Wamuchomba, HSC, MP (@hon_wamuchomba) March 27, 2024
"There is uncertainty about payments of debts owed to hospitals by NHIF. Hence slow uptake of SHA services," she explained.
"Lack of harmony of functions between county Governments and National Government. Some counties are yet to sign the intergovernmental participatory agreements (IPA)."
On the other hand, she expressed that there was poor implementation of communication strategies by the Ministry of Health to communities and stakeholders.
Additionally, the lawmaker remarked that the SHA systems had challenges hence affecting operations. In recent weeks, hospitals have been forced to resort back to the manual system following challenges experienced with the digital system.
Patients have also been turned away in some facilities as hospitals fear delays in payment for services rendered.
According to data by SHA, over 14 million Kenyans have registered for the new health cover.
Counties leading in the registration exercise include Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Lamu, and Embu.
