Ministry of Health seeks Sh6 billion budget boost amid accountability concerns

The Ministry of Health is seeking an additional Sh6 billion in the supplementary budget to boost the primary healthcare fund and the emergency and chronic illness fund under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Speaking before the National Assembly's health committee on Thursday, Medical Services PS Harry Kimtai asked for the additional funds, claiming that a gazette notice has already been issued to communicate increasing benefits that will among other things see oncology coverage rising from Sh400,000 to Sh550,000.

"If you are a cancer patient, payment of your SHA premiums will entitle you to quality cancer treatment in all Level 4, 5, and 6 hospitals with the benefit package rising from Sh400,000 to Sh500,000," said Kimtai.

According to Kimtai, SHA has so far registered 20.2 million Kenyans, reinforcing the need for an additional Sh3 billion to boost primary healthcare at Level 1, 2 and 3 hospitals where services remain free for all registered members.

"Primary healthcare is not restricted to public facilities. As such private and faith-based healthcare institutions at Levels 3 and 5 have also been contracted to offer the service. Such institutions are therefore entitled to payment as per capitation," added the PS.

Appearing alongside other heads of semi-autonomous government agencies under the State Department of Medical Services, Kimtai was put to task to explain the hitches being faced by Kenyans under the medical scheme.

"In NHIF, health facilities that benefited were able to view the system and ascertain how much they had received for each patient. However, in SHA, the same people cannot explain how much they have been paid because they cannot view the system," noted Health Committee Vice Chairperson Patrick Ntwiga, the Chuka/Igambang'ombe MP.

In their response, Kimtai and the agency heads said they would publish all amounts to be paid to health providers contracted by the government.

This would help the public know how much they are entitled to, in which institution and for what facility.

The Treasury was also put to task for delaying disbursements to healthcare facilities, thereby hampering their ability to effectively treat patients.

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