Church leaders say SHIF’s focus on revenue oppressive to poor Kenyans
By Lucy Mumbi |
They have pressed the government to revert to NHIF until SHIF can be thoroughly reviewed and proven functional.
Church leaders have condemned the ongoing Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) rollout, urging the government to address Kenyans' needs before focusing on revenue generation.
Led by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) chairman, Bishop Alphonso Kanga, they have raised concerns that SHIF is costing Kenyans more for fewer benefits compared to its predecessor, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
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The NCCK voiced its discontent a month after SHIF was introduced.
The church leaders have pressed the government to revert to NHIF until SHIF can be thoroughly reviewed and proven functional.
"It does not make sense to us that Kenyans are now paying more money but are getting fewer benefits; we are moving from okay to worse,” Bishop Kanga said.
Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri Catholic Archdiocese, also criticised SHIF, arguing that it contradicts the commitment to uphold human rights.
“With the shift from NHIF to SHIF, we don’t seem to have had that thought of the sick, people who die because they can’t get services — that’s our main concern,” Muheria said.
Bishop Joseph Ngige of the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) questioned the programme’s ability to adequately serve ordinary Kenyans.
"If the common man is not fully attended to according to his or her needs, how can we convince our members that the SHIF is working?” he asked.
The Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), representing Protestant churches-affiliated health facilities, reported that it has registered 563 faith-based health facilities with SHIF, including 53 centres, 23 hospitals, 381 dispensaries and 16 medical training institutions.
However, Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa dismissed calls for a review, maintaining that SHIF is operational and that complaints stem from misinformation.
“Regarding the stranded patients, we are requesting that they reach out through the call centre to SHA, and each case will be addressed accordingly,” she said during the graduation of specialised nurses at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital.
President William Ruto, in contrast, defended SHIF, assuring that the government aims to ensure universal medical access for all Kenyans without requiring extra payments.
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