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Health Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai informed the committee that suitability tests for ex-NHIF staff transitioning to SHA would begin before the end of February 2025.

Many cancer patients who previously depended on NHIF coverage are now burdened with out-of-pocket expenses.

Ministry officials warn that those who do not undergo the test will automatically be excluded from key healthcare services such as hospital admissions.

In a statement, Dr Patrick Amoth, Director General of the Ministry of Health, expressed concern that only 18.8 million Kenyans are enrolled on SHA.

These rising expenses are pushing many low and middle-income families into tough situations, often forcing them to make difficult decisions about their health.

The retreat also addressed the backlog of 283 Bills currently pending before various parliamentary committees, some of which have remained unattended for two years.

MPs have launched a fresh probe into the Sh104 billion SHIF system, amid reports that its claims processing system is still not fully operational.

Kimani alleged that despite being promised Sh250,000 for the assignment, she only received Sh50,000, a fraction of the agreed amount.

The arrest happened at Ladnan Hospital in Eastleigh, where she had gone to seek medical treatment. She was forcibly removed from the hospital on claims of causing a disturbance on January 15.

While criticising the SHA project, which has faced challenges since its rollout in October of last year, Gachagua described it as rushed and poorly implemented.

The union said it remains hopeful that the suspension period will allow for further discussions to resolve the outstanding concerns.

The unpaid claims, which include group life benefits, group personal accident, and work injury benefits act claims, relate to police officers and their dependents.

Regarding CS Barasa, the Union claimed that she has made it difficult for Kenyans to access treatment through SHA, noting favouritism towards medical doctors with regard to empanelment.

Parents and education stakeholders are hopeful that reviving EduAfya will bridge the healthcare gap for students, ensuring they can access medical services when needed.

Lavender House Clinic project is not only treating illnesses but transforming lives, one patient at a time.

The survey, carried out between December 24 and December 31, 2024, reached 243 healthcare facilities across 63 SHA branches.

While the government has maintained that SHIF is functioning effectively, many Kenyans are still frustrated and eager for the system's issues to be addressed.

Linda Mama programme has been instrumental in reducing maternal and infant mortality by providing free delivery services.

The government's efforts to streamline this process aim to make it more accessible and reduce any obstacles for citizens during the transition.

Lishenga emphasised the need for clarity both on which hospitals have received payments and the total revenue SHA has collected from Kenyans since its launch in October.

The report notes that 39 per cent of hospitals did not receive payments from SHA in November, while those that did faced an average 23 per cent reduction in capitation amounts.

The protesters also claimed they had been denied pre-authorisation rights, which they argue prevents them from requesting diagnostic imaging or performing critical medical procedures under the SHA framework.

Under the scheme, an undisclosed supplier will install machines in county facilities and receive payments directly from the Social Health Authority.

The PS further highlighted that rigorous training sessions for hospital staff were done to ensure seamless service delivery under the new system.

However, Senators raised legal concerns about the deal, questioning the national government’s role in procuring medical equipment for counties and whether the contract was valid.

Gachagua said experts had advised that the NHIF could have been enhanced at a cost of between Sh700 million and Sh800 million, significantly less than the Sh104 billion allocated to the SHA.

Union says the SHA board had excluded clinical officers from the list of service providers, even though they run over 1,000 private healthcare facilities in Kenya.

Ruto stated that the government had already disbursed Sh5 billion over the past month to settle similar obligations, some of which date back over a decade.