Ex-NHIF staff face uncertainty as SHA transition process begins
SHA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Robert Ingasira, confirmed that the vetting process for staff retention is currently in progress.
Over 1,700 former employees of the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), including those appointed to senior positions in the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA), are awaiting clarity on their future roles within the next three months.
The transition process, which will determine whether these employees will be absorbed by SHA or redeployed by the Public Service Commission (PSC), is already underway.
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SHA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Robert Ingasira, confirmed that the vetting process for staff retention is currently in progress.
He explained that after the authority took over from the NHIF in November 2021, operations at the new body were temporarily managed by the PSC to ensure a smooth transition.
While awaiting final decisions, employees were redeployed back to SHA for continuity purposes.
"In the next six months, SHA is expected to conduct a competitive recruitment process, with priority given to former NHIF staff," Ingasira said.
"By the end of this period, SHA will have decided which employees to retain and which ones will be transferred back to the PSC," he added.
Voluntary retirement
The acting CEO further clarified that those employees who are not retained by SHA and are sent back to the PSC will have the option of either accepting new roles within the public sector or choosing voluntary retirement.
"Recruitment will begin soon. Those who wish to retire voluntarily will be given the opportunity, and the public service will guide them," Ingasira added.
As the transition process continues, the SHA is working diligently to assess and identify the employees who will remain.
According to Ingasira, the final decision on staffing will focus on retaining those deemed most effective.
Those who are not retained by SHA will be absorbed back into the public sector or will be given the option of retiring.
In a related development, SHA has appointed at least 24 senior officials to manage the authority.
However, Ingasira clarified that these appointments are temporary, and those serving in these acting roles will also need to apply for the positions they hold once the recruitment process officially begins.
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