Health Ministry tops list of NHIF debtors with Sh7.8 billion owed- RUPHA
In a post shared by the association, RUPHA said the Ministry of Health, headed by Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, owes the largest share at Sh7.8 billion, followed by the Ministry of Public Service, which owes Sh3.47 billion under the civil servants’ medical cover, and the Ministry of Interior, which owes Sh1.64 billion
The Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) has issued a report on outstanding premiums owed to the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) by government ministries, departments, and agencies, showing total arrears of Sh13.8 billion as of September 30, 2024.
In a post shared by the association, RUPHA said the Ministry of Health, headed by Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, owes the largest share at Sh7.8 billion, followed by the Ministry of Public Service, which owes Sh3.47 billion under the civil servants’ medical cover, and the Ministry of Interior, which owes Sh1.64 billion for the National Police Service medical scheme.
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The association noted that the outstanding amount owed by the Ministry of Health includes payments under several health programmes, among them Linda Mama (Sh2.12 billion), Health Insurance Subsidy Programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (HISP-OVC) at Sh1.42 billion, HISP for Older Persons and Persons with Severe Disabilities (HISP-OPPSD) at Sh289 million, and UHC-Indigents at Sh4 billion.
RUPHA urged the government to clear the arrears promptly.
“It is instructive to note that the Ministry of Health owes the lion's share at Sh7.8 billion, followed by the Ministry of Public Service (Civil Servants Medical Scheme) at Sh3.47 billion. So, Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, when is your ministry settling its 7.8 billion? This is enough for 91 per cent of all hospitals in Kenya,” RUPHA said.
Meanwhile, the government is moving away from the Linda Mama programme, shifting to a household-centred health coverage system designed to reach more vulnerable families.
Duale told the Senate on Wednesday that the change was necessary to fix gaps in service delivery and financial management that had limited the effectiveness of the free maternity initiative.
“The Linda Mama programme is not currently administered under the Social Health Authority infrastructure,” Duale said.
“While the programme was instrumental in expanding access to free maternal care, it faced very critical challenges that led to the need for a more comprehensive and sustainable model.”
Duale said the decision to adopt a household-based approach is backed by four new health laws passed by Parliament, which created SHA and set the stage for universal health coverage.
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