The Ministry of Health has suspended user rights of eight doctors and four clinicians over their alleged involvement in a fraud scheme targeting the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking on Friday, August 8, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the action follows a forensic audit and digital investigation which unearthed fraudulent activity linked to health facilities in multiple counties.
"During the period of the investigation, our digital system and the forensic audit further identified several health professionals who have been directly involved in these criminal schemes.
"These are eight doctors associated with the facilities in Nairobi, Bungoma and Kilifi counties, and four clinicians associated with the facilities in Nairobi, and Homa Bay counties," he said.
In response to the findings, the ministry has moved to restrict the involved individuals from accessing public health systems.
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"SHA has immediately withdrawn the user rights for these doctors and clinical officers from all the authority and the digital health platforms and we have also informed the regulator, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and Clinical Officers Council of Kenya (COC) to implement the decision that we have made today" he added.
According to Duale, the implicated health professionals are connected to some of the 40 facilities that have also been suspended for allegedly defrauding SHA.
The CS stated that the facilities will face immediate and decisive sanctions, including being surcharged for the money lost.
"We have suspended 40 health facilities found to be defrauding SHA. These suspensions take effect immediately. During the investigation period, these facilities will not receive any benefits from SHA, and we will surcharge them for the money lost," he added.
Notably, this comes days after Duale launched the Biometric Health Identification system for SHA.
Speaking on Monday, August 4, during the launch of the biometric system, Duale said the system will help the Ministry of Health to eliminate fraud and misuse of the benefits.
“This innovation will secure access to health services without having physical documents. Your fingerprint will verify your identity securely.
“This biometric will help us in eliminating fraud and misuse of the benefits. It will also reduce paperwork, shorten queues of patients, and ensure more time is spent on patient care,” he said.
Duale noted that the biometric registration is available across level 4,5, and 6 health facilities countrywide.
