The Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) has announced plans to suspend Social Health Authority (SHA) services in their facilities over pending NHIF debt.
At a press conference on Thursday, February 20, the association revealed that the suspension would take effect from Monday, February 24.
RUPHA lamented that the government was yet to pay over Ksh30 billion NHIF debt despite past promises.
The association added that it was forced to take the decision following failed engagements with the government on the pending bills.
"As healthcare professionals, our first duty is the welfare of our patients. However, the continued failure to address critical challenges in the SHA transition is now directly endangering the quality and sustainability of care in our hospitals," read the statement in part.
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"This decision has not been made lightly. It follows months of failed engagements, unfulfilled promises, and growing financial distress among hospitals, which now threatens the very survival of healthcare institutions across Kenya."
Should the hospitals suspend the SHA services, millions of patients who rely on the government insurance scheme will be forced to turn to public hospitals.
On the other hand, those seeking, services in private facilities will be forced to pay for the medication using their own money.
In recent months, hospitals have lamented over the delays in the clearing of the NHIF bills.
Hospitals have explained that the outstanding bet has paralysed their operations, especially in buying medicine and paying their staff.
"Hospitals are required to declare NHIF claims as income for tax purposes, despite these claims remaining unpaid. This has led to tax liabilities and penalties, further depleting already meagre resources. Many hospitals have been forced into costly arbitration talks with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), worsening their financial strain," the association added.
"Despite these alarming realities, the Social Health Authority (SHA) has flatly refused to settle these debts, arguing that NHIF liabilities are not its responsibility. This stance has pushed hospitals into a financial abyss, leaving them unable to deliver essential healthcare services."
