𝐒𝐇𝐀 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐊𝐒𝐡 𝟓.𝟏 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐍𝐇𝐈𝐅 𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬.

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has disbursed KSh 5.1 billion this week for social health insurance fund claims, pushing the total payments since October 2024 to KSh 18.29 billion. This significant allocation aims to support healthcare providers as the government works to resolve the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) debt crisis. SHA Acting CEO Robert Ingasira reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring timely payments to hospitals and clinics.

He emphasized that the new disbursement is part of a broader strategy to enhance financial stability in the healthcare sector while transitioning from NHIF to the new social health insurance framework. As part of these efforts, KSh 1.3 billion has been allocated specifically to primary healthcare facilities, with KSh 51 million directed toward private healthcare providers. Ingasira urged all healthcare facilities to submit their second-quarter financial returns for the 2024/2025 financial year to facilitate timely disbursements and clinical reviews.

In response to concerns raised by the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA) and the Kenya Association of Private Hospitals, Ingasira addressed claims that the government owes RUPHA KSh 30 billion. He clarified that this figure is inaccurate and assured stakeholders that an upcoming meeting on Thursday will focus on reconciling NHIF claims.To improve payment efficiency and reduce delays, SHA has trained RUPHA facilities on claim management using an online dashboard.This digital system allows healthcare providers to track their claims in real-time and access funds more efficiently, ensuring smooth service delivery.

Ingasira reiterated that the SHA remains committed to ongoing training sessions for all healthcare providers. Hospitals and clinics can request these sessions to better understand the new payment structures and streamline their claim processes.He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between SHA and healthcare facilities to maintain uninterrupted medical services nationwide.The government is keen on ensuring that the transition from NHIF to the new social health insurance system does not disrupt patient care. With these measures in place, SHA aims to stabilize the healthcare financing landscape, ease financial burdens on hospitals, and ultimately improve access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans.