By Dennis Gichuiri
The recently launched Social Health Authority (SHA) has faced a series of challenges as it begins to roll out across the country. Issues such as miscommunication and misunderstandings between employers, employees, and healthcare facilities have slowed the smooth transition to the new health system, which aims to provide enhanced healthcare coverage.
One of the major hurdles in SHA’s implementation has been compliance with eligibility criteria. Employers are required to remit 2.75% of their employees’ earnings to SHA, but some have failed to meet this obligation. This has resulted in employees being denied access to healthcare services. To address this issue, the Ministry of Health organized a workshop aimed at educating employers, particularly in the public sector, where compliance has lagged behind the private sector.
Group photo during the agenda for HR practitioners sensitization on transition to SHA held at the KSG
Healthcare workers have also raised concerns about SHA, with some threatening industrial action unless amendments are made to the Social Health Insurance Act. The Ministry of Health responded by reiterating that proper legal procedures must be followed for reviewing the act. Although no formal amendment requests have been submitted to the ministry so far, officials have indicated they are open to reviewing any proposals that contribute to improving healthcare services.
A key point of contention has been the comparison between SHA and the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which it replaces. Healthcare workers are worried that SHA may reduce the benefits previously offered under NHIF. However, the Ministry clarified that SHA not only retains the core benefits of NHIF but also enhances them. For instance, cancer patients will now receive full coverage for chemotherapy sessions, an improvement from NHIF’s partial coverage.
The Ministry of Health dismissed claims that the implementation of SHA was rushed, explaining that many challenges were only detectable after the system went live. Some healthcare facilities, due to miscommunication, refused to treat patients transitioning from NHIF to SHA, adding to the confusion. Meetings with private hospitals and other healthcare providers are ongoing to resolve these issues.
The Ministry has acknowledged a communication gap and stressed the need for healthcare facilities to update their staff on SHA’s system to ensure smooth service delivery. Officials have also emphasized the importance of compliance by all stakeholders to allow Kenyans to benefit from the improved healthcare services SHA promises to deliver.
As the rollout continues, the Ministry remains committed to resolving the challenges and reviewing the Social Health Insurance Act where necessary, ensuring that the transition benefits all Kenyans.
