Government disburses Sh22 billion to settle SHIF pending bills
NDIC stated that the payments have played a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of healthcare services and alleviating financial pressures on facilities.
The government has disbursed Sh22 billion from the Sh31.5 billion collected under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to strengthen healthcare services across the country.
According to a dispatch, the National Development Implementation Committee (NDIC) released on Wednesday, these funds have been allocated to settle pending bills owed to various healthcare providers.
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A breakdown of the disbursement shows that faith-based organisations received Sh3.5 billion, public hospitals were allocated Sh7.2 billion, while private healthcare providers received Sh11.4 billion.
NDIC stated that the payments have played a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of healthcare services and alleviating financial pressures on facilities.
Taifa Care, the healthcare registration initiative, has so far registered over 20.6 million Kenyans, with 16.6 million actively enrolled.
Additionally, four million people have undergone means testing to assess their eligibility for financial assistance.
NDIC emphasised the need for efficiency in handling claims to ensure the funds are directed where they are most needed.
The government aims to expand Taifa Care coverage to enhance service delivery and improve access to affordable healthcare for all Kenyans.
“The government is committed to ensuring that every Kenyan receives quality healthcare without financial strain,” NDIC noted.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi chaired the committee on Wednesday at the Kenya School of Government.
Concerns over pending bills have been a major issue in the healthcare sector. The government has pledged to settle outstanding claims to prevent service disruptions in hospitals across the country.
Last month, President Ruto directed that hospitals with claims of Sh10 million and below be paid in full.
“Pay all hospitals with total claims of Sh10 million and below in full, representing 91 per cent of all facilities contracted by NHIF,” he stated.
Faith-based healthcare providers, which play a critical role in Kenya’s health system, have raised concerns over delayed payments.
Earlier this week, Nairobi Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo warned that faith-based hospitals might be forced to shut down due to outstanding debts owed by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“The non-payment of pending bills cripples the hospitals, and they’re no longer able to continue operating normally,” Archbishop Anyolo said.
Faith-based hospitals account for over 40 per cent of healthcare services in Kenya, particularly in rural areas where access to medical care is limited. A potential shutdown of these facilities would disproportionately impact vulnerable populations.
Similarly, private healthcare providers have expressed frustration over the government’s failure to clear outstanding bills.
The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) has warned that prolonged delays in payment could destabilize the healthcare system.
RUPHA Chairman Brian Lishenga said negotiations with the government on clearing the debts have stalled, raising concerns over the financial sustainability of private health facilities. The dispute involves unsettled claims amounting to Sh30 billion.
As the government continues to disburse funds under SHIF and Taif Care, stakeholders are calling for transparency and prompt payments to ensure hospitals can continue operating efficiently and serving Kenyans in need of medical care.
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