SHA to decide future of former NHIF employees within six months 

Former employees of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will learn their future roles at the Social Health Authority (SHA) within the next six months, following the NHIF's closure last week.

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SHA's Acting CEO, Robert Ingasira, confirmed that the employees will continue working with the authority during this transitional period as SHA works to reorganise.

Ingasira's remarks come amid rising concerns from some of the affected staff, who are calling for their interests to be safeguarded as the transition progresses.

The NHIF, which had operated for over 50 years, ceased to exist on Friday, with SHA inheriting its functions. This leaves NHIF’s 1,700 permanent and pensionable employees in limbo.

"The expectation is that within six months, SHA will have conducted the suitability test, and some of them will be maintained... it shall have determined the number and qualifications; the others will be taken to the Public Service Commission (PSC)," Ingasira said.

As part of the transition, NHIF staff were given three options: to apply for jobs with SHA, to be redeployed to other government agencies through the PSC, or to take early voluntary retirement.

Ingasira added that those insisting on retirement will be given that option. "Retirement is voluntary and will be subject to other regulations. At that stage, those willing to exercise that option will be able to," he said.

SHA has previously stated that it has a staff establishment of 500 employees approved by the PSC and plans to advertise these positions by the end of the year.

While addressing human resource issues, SHA also highlighted progress in the rollout of health services under Universal Health Coverage, saying the situation is now stabilising.

The authority has cleared some of its outstanding claims to healthcare facilities, including public, private, and faith-based organisations.

"This week, the authority has disbursed Sh3.75 billion for NHIF pending claims, Linda Mama, and SHA capitation," Ingasira added.

Additionally, patients seeking primary healthcare will soon be able to access services at select level four facilities, alongside those at level two and three, as SHA aims to broaden access to healthcare for the public.