The Social Health Authority (SHA) has commended Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, the NG-CDF Committee and constituency leadership for sponsoring 530 vulnerable constituents.
In a notice on Wednesday, August 12, the authority said the initiative, valued at Ksh3,091,483, will provide each beneficiary with 12 months of SHA health coverage.
SHA said the sponsorship will provide financial protection to vulnerable households by helping them avoid catastrophic healthcare costs and ensuring they can access quality healthcare without experiencing financial hardship.
"SHA appreciates Hon. Kiunjuri Mwangi Festus, NG-CDF Committee and constituency leadership for sponsoring 530 vulnerable constituents with 12 months of SHA health coverage, valued at Ksh3,091,483," the notice read.
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This comes a week after SHA issued a warning to all healthcare facilities, reminding them that emergency medical treatment must be provided without discrimination or financial barriers.
In a statement on Saturday, August 1, SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi reiterated that the right to emergency medical treatment is protected under the Constitution.
She added that contracted facilities are legally and contractually required to provide emergency treatment immediately, regardless of a patient's financial circumstances.
"The Social Health Authority (SHA) reminds all contracted Health Care Providers that the right to emergency medical treatment is guaranteed under Article 43(2) of the Constitution of Kenya.
"In addition, every SHA-contracted provider is contractually obligated to provide mandatory emergency services and shall not refuse, delay or withhold emergency treatment on account of a patient's inability to pay or for any other financial reason," the statement read.
According to SHA, patients requiring emergency treatment must not be denied, delayed, referred or transferred solely because they cannot pay, have no confirmed health insurance benefits, or are unable to provide a deposit, advance payment or financial guarantee.
The authority explained that the Emergency, Critical and Chronic Illness Fund (ECCIF) will finance eligible emergency treatment during the first 24 hours.
After that period, eligible healthcare services will be covered through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) or any other applicable payment arrangement.
Where a health facility lacks the capacity to continue managing a patient, it must first stabilise the patient before referring them to an appropriate contracted facility in line with the Ministry of Health Referral Guidelines and the SHA contract
SHA warned that providers who disregard these requirements will face strict enforcement measures, including possible termination of their contracts.
"Any provider found to have engaged in such conduct shall be liable to de-empanelment and other contract enforcement measures, including termination of the SHA Contract, without prejudice to any action that may be taken by the relevant regulatory or enforcement authorities," the statement added.
