The Ministry of Health has assured critical care patients and Kenyans in general that they will continue receiving quality uninterrupted health services during the transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA).
State Department for Medical Services Principal Secretary (PS) Harry Kimtai said that they have directed hospitals to continue offering services and ensure that essential treatments such as dialysis, cancer care and maternity service remain fully accessible.
Kimtai said that they have instructed all healthcare providers to ensure that everyone who visits a hospital receives the necessary services explaining that under SHA, services at primary healthcare facilities (Level 1-3) remain free of charge.
The PS explained that all patients admitted under the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) packages before September 30th will be discharged using the NHIF system and no patient should be detained in health facilities.
“The government appreciates the ongoing commitment of healthcare providers and healthcare facilities in delivering critical services during this period. Any challenges that arise will be addressed promptly, and we encourage open communication to ensure smooth collaboration between facilities and the Ministry,” said Kimtai.
The PS said that the Ministry is encouraged by the positive response from healthcare facilities, with many already signing contracts under the SHA’s Healthcare Provider (HCP) provisions.
Kimtai explained that all public health facilities and over 60% of private health facilities have been contracted by SHA and should provide health services seamlessly adding that a complete list of those contracted facilities is available on the SHA website which will be continuously updated to reflect the changes and updates.
To support healthcare providers and address any operational concerns, the PS said that the Ministry is taking proactive steps which include immediate clarification of service levels and contracts to ensure smooth transitions and continued service delivery.
“We have also taken measures to strengthen public communication through social media and the SHA website to address frequently asked questions on topics such as member registration, dependents, and access to services,” said the PS.
Kimtai explained that they are working closely with hospitals to ensure that all patients, including those scheduled for surgeries, receive uninterrupted care.
“The Ministry has received inquiries regarding the transition of existing NHIF members to SHA. We wish to clarify that the laws as per legal notice 147 of 2024 provided for the transition of all registered and verifiable NHIF members into SHA. This process ensures continuity of coverage, and members are encouraged to verify, update their profiles and add dependents through our official SHA channels at www.sha.go.ke,” explained Kimtai.
The PS said that following the successful national rollout of the SHA on October 1st, 2024, there has been increased demand on the system explaining that their technical teams are working 24 hours a day to address the increased traffic in efforts to enhance service delivery as he assured that Kenyans will continue experiencing smoother services as time progresses.
Kimtai said that they are expanding their communication efforts through Community Health Promoter (CHP’s), members of the National and County Government Administration and health workers across multiple platforms.
“The Ministry of Health remains fully committed to ensuring the success of the SHA rollout and to maintaining accessible, high-quality healthcare services for all Kenyans,” assured Kimtai.
The PS encouraged Kenyans to continue signing into SHA since it offers expanded services compared to NHIF as he urged anyone with inquiry to reach out through the toll-free customer care number 719.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
