By Taalia Kwekwe
Health experts and Human Rights defenders have urged the government to review and address challenges facing the new SHA/SHIF medical scheme to ensure the realization of Universal Health Coverage for all.* – Taalia Kwekwe
Speaking during a public forum organized by the Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) organization at the Little Theatre Club, Mombasa, the experts implored on the government to listen to the cries of Kenyans who have been lamenting that the scheme is not working.
Professor Halimu Shauri, Chairman of HURIA, emphasized the need for public input and highlighted concerns raised by citizens, including system failures and difficulties in transferring clients from the previous NHIF to SHA.
“These are among the myriads of challenges facing the SHIF/SHA medical scheme. Many Kenyans are unable to access medical services in certain hospitals, forcing many to pay out-of-pocket,” said Halimu.
He urged the government to review SHA for better accessibility to healthcare.
Dr. Mwachonda Chibanzi, a health policy expert pointed out that while 20 million Kenyans have been registered under SHA, only 3.5 million have made payments.
He criticized the taxation on working citizens contributing to SHA, calling for a review to ensure UHC and equal access to health services.
On the other hand, Dr. Salim Omar, representing the Kenya Association of Private Hospitals (KAPH), stressed the need for equality between patients and service providers, citing the unpaid arrears of Sh30 billion as a major issue that has led to the closure of some health facilities.
Dr. Salim Ghalib, Secretary of the KMPDU Coast Branch, called on the government to ensure easier access to SHA services for civil servants, highlighting the high deductions from their salaries and the looming strike action if their demands are not addressed by March 18.
Sr.Pamela Makokha who was representing the Rural Urban Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA), highlighted the challenges women face in accessing medical services due to discrepancies in health insurance policies.
Makokha noted with concern that unlike under the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) where women were listed as dependents, SHA requires them to be registered independently.
“This contradiction creates barriers for women, particularly in rural areas, as they struggle to navigate the system and access necessary healthcare,” Makokha said.
She added that women are often the primary caregivers for their children and are responsible for taking them to hospitals.
Makokha called for policy changes to make healthcare access more inclusive and easier for women, recognizing their critical role in family health.
Also present during the forum was Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nasir who acknowledged the challenges being faced, but reassured citizens that SHA is a step toward achieving Universal Health Care.
“As a county government, we have made strides to digitize our health care system so that we ensure that we improve on our service provision to the people of Mombasa,” said Nassir.
“Under my leadership, my administration’s core mandate is to deliver on the promises and expectations of Mombasa people. We invite feedback from residents on the challenges being faced with SHA and my team and I will look into them,” he added.
The forum which brought together experts from both national and county governments and both public and private sector in the provision of health services, provided a platform for citizens to voice their concerns.
The government officials and health experts agreed on the importance of a thorough review to ensure that the SHA delivers equitable healthcare to all Kenyans.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) was officially launched in October 2024, signifying a key milestone in Kenya’s advancement in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The SHA, which will replace the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), aims to provide affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare services to all Kenyans.
