Health

Governors demand NHIF pay Sh8 billion debt before transition to SHIF

County and health officials during a meeting at the offices of the Council of Governors on June 21, 2024, to discuss the NHIF-SHIF transition as well as universal health coverage. (Photo: X/Anne Waiguru)

By Bashir Mohammed | Saturday, June 22, 2024

With the transition to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) from July 1, county leaders insist that the arrears must be cleared to avoid financial instability in public health facilities.

Governors are in a standoff with the Ministry of Health over a substantial debt of Sh8 billion owed to county hospitals by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

With the transition to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) on July 1, county leaders insist that the arrears must be cleared to avoid financial instability in public health facilities.

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On Friday, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and the Council of Governors (CoG), chaired by Kirinyaga's Anne Waiguru, held a crucial meeting to address outstanding issues.

At a press conference at the CoG office, Health Committee Chairman Muthomi Njuki emphasised the urgency of settling the debts.

"As we transition, we do not want to see a situation where the Sh8 billion becomes a pending bill for the public facilities," Njuki stated. "We urge that the facilities whose debts have not been paid be settled by NHIF. That is the only way we are going to transition to SHA (Social Health Authority)—having no debt owed to county facilities."

The Council of Governors @KenyaGovernors has held a consultative meeting with the Ministry of Health on Universal Health Coverage roll out where we discussed implementation of the pillars including health financing transition to SHA and the campaign to register households via… pic.twitter.com/wZbgufA1h8
— Anne Waiguru EGH, OGW (@AnneWaiguru) June 21, 2024

The meeting also focused on other critical aspects of the transition, with Waiguru confirming that the debt issue was a significant point of discussion.

"We have agreed that the Ministry of Health shall ensure that the Sh8 billion owed to counties by the defunct NHIF is paid."

She also announced plans for a public campaign to facilitate member registration under the SHA and highlighted continuous engagement between the Ministry of Health and county governments to ensure the effective implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

"We have the confidence of the ministry that the transition is progressing well. In the interim, they have agreed that they will use the system and the data that already exists under the defunct NHIF as they roll out SHIF," Waiguru said. "They will be validating, and hopefully, in the next couple of months, they will fully have transitioned."

Further, the ministry will channel funds for community health promoters directly to counties and support the rollout of a comprehensive, integrated information system to facilitate the delivery of quality health services.

"The Ministry of Health shall cover all costs related to the rollout and maintenance of the integrated health management system," Waiguru confirmed.