Health unions accuse insurers of sabotaging, disrupting care at Nairobi Hospital

Health unions, led by the Kenya Medical, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), have protested against insurance companies, accusing them of sabotaging healthcare services, particularly at Nairobi Hospital.

In a statement on Tuesday, August 19, the unions, which included the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives, the General Union of Kenya Civil Servants, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers and the Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dentists, condemned what they described as unfair allegations by insurance firms against Nairobi Hospital’s management.

The unions claimed insurance companies were colluding to interfere with patient care by dictating which hospitals, doctors, tests and drugs patients could access. They added that the insurance firms were disrupting care by coming between doctors and patients.

“They are choosing which hospital to go to, such as what happened in Nairobi Hospital. They are also choosing for patients which doctors to see, which tests and which drugs to be administered,” the statement read in part.

The unions also accused insurers of delaying payments, forcing hospitals to demand cash from patients, and unfairly requiring the Social Health Authority (SHA) to settle their bills first.

They also criticised insurance companies for increasing premiums without allowing healthcare providers to adjust their charges accordingly.

“The latest treachery is their increasing premiums, claiming that the cost of living has gone up, yet they do not want the service providers to also increase their charges. This unbecoming, cartel-like behaviour is being perpetuated by the big insurance companies, who blackmail service providers into submission,” the unions claimed.

They further accused the Competition Authority and the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) of turning a blind eye to the insurers' dispute with Nairobi Hospital.

“As this happens, the Competition Authority and the Insurance Regulatory Authority have abdicated their duties to protect the patients and the service providers,” the union said.

Moving forward, they threatened to publish a 'list of shame' advising Kenyans which insurers to avoid, “We will not sit back and watch private interests frustrate the quality of healthcare and the much-needed universal access. Insurance companies are becoming an impediment to quality healthcare and the much-needed universal access.”

Their statement comes days after Nairobi Hospital suspended recent price increases following talks with insurance partners, who had initially withdrawn services, affecting patients.

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• Health unions accuse insurers of sabotaging
• disrupting care at Nairobi Hospital

The hospital said price adjustments were necessary due to rising costs of medical supplies, but emphasised that its tariffs remain competitive.

Nairobi Hospital’s Director of Medical Research and Services, Samuel Odede, assured the public that the hospital remains committed to delivering high-quality care and working with insurance firms for smooth patient services.

“The hospital wishes to reassure all its patients that the rates remain as they were before adjustments. We are ready to work with our insurance partners to ensure flawless service to our patients. The Nairobi Hospital wishes to assure the public that we continue to provide care to all patients at the rates and we remain committed to delivering the highest standard of care,” said Odede.