• The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association has joined other private facilities in suspending services for teachers and police officers covered under the medical administrator Kenya Limited Scheme, citing unpaid debts. 

The Social Health Authority (SHA) is staring at a possible paralysis in the coming weeks after the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA) in Kenya threatened to suspend services with SHA, citing the government’s inability to resolve long-standing challenges.

The decision follows the government’s failure to clear Ksh 30 billion worth of pending bills by the NHIF and ongoing system challenges with SHA, putting patients who rely on private healthcare at risk.

The association accuses the government of taking too long to solve the problems arising from implementing the new scheme. Since its inception at the end of last year, the new health scheme has faced many challenges. Many Kenyans have condemned the health system because of system failure, poor management and delays in service delivery processes.

SHA's request for an additional Ksh 77 billion in the next financial year met stiff resistance from the National Assembly Committee members, who accuse the officials of failing to justify their demands.

The decision could be a significant blow to Kenya’s healthcare system since they deliver 45% of its primary health services and 30% of level 4 healthcare facilities in Kenya. In addition, private hospitals provide specialized care and ongoing treatment to those with chronic diseases.

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The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association has joined other private facilities in suspending services for teachers and police officers covered under the medical administrator Kenya Limited Scheme, citing unpaid debts.

The challenges bedeviling the Social Health Authority continue with patients, especially those with chronic diseases, expected to dig deeper into their pockets in the coming weeks.