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A free medical camp in Homabay has brought to the fore the challenges sick Kenyans are facing during this transition period from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Director of Beryls Medical Centre, Newton Ogada, speaking during the camp, noted that for the last three weeks, patients have been unable to get medical services due to challenges experienced over the transition because most private and public health facilities in the country are not providing medical services to patients without cash.
Health stakeholders in Homa Bay County have therefore urged the government to resolve bottlenecks in accessing medical care through the Social Health Authority for patients to be served through the insurance.
Ogada said standoff occurs because the health facilities are unable to log into the Social Health Authority (SHA) for details and approvals, making them compel patients to meet the cost of medication with cash money.
He said what worsens the issue is that there are some Kenyans who had paid up their monthly contributions to the defunct NHIF until mid-next year, yet they cannot receive medical care.
Ogada expressed concerns that many Kenyans who are sick, though up to date with their insurance contributions, ironically now continue to suffer for lack of cash.
“The medical camp has been undertaken for a week, and more than 4000 people seeking medical care complain that they can’t access medication in health facilities due to confusion in SHA. Many of them have NHIF but cannot be treated because of migration,” Ogada said.
He expressed fears that high mortality rates may result if the situation is not addressed.
“We may experience high death rates in the near future if this stalemate is not resolved. Let the government address the issues surrounding the SHA for Kenyans to access medication,” he added.
“Let Members of Parliament handle SHA with the same efficiency they did in impeaching Rigathi Gachagua,” Ogada said.
Homa Bay Medical Outreach Coordinator Molly Ochar said the increased cost of medical care made many patients unable to acquire medical care.
“Most of our hospitals don’t have logging credentials; hence, they cannot use SHA. This forces patients to pay cash, which is expensive,” Ochar said.
By Davis Langat
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