Ruto's health plan faces growing scrutiny as MPs seek answers over system failures
President William Ruto's ambitious healthcare plan is now under intense examination as Parliament gears up for a critical debate next week.
The system, which includes the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), a Sh104 billion health information system, and the deployment of community health promoters, has encountered significant problems.
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Lawmakers are demanding a detailed review and a clear roadmap to address the growing issues, with many questioning the hefty sums spent on a system that has failed to meet expectations.
Health Cabinet Secretary Debra Mulongo Barasa is set to face senators in Naivasha today to provide an update on the progress of the new healthcare model.
However, the session is expected to be tense, as recent system failures have left numerous Kenyans unable to access essential health services, causing frustration across the country.
In the National Assembly, the Health Committee, led by Endebes MP Robert Pukose, is preparing to present a comprehensive report on the challenges plaguing the new health system.
Find solutions to crisis
The committee's findings will be shared with Parliament on February 11, 2025, as lawmakers seek to hold the government accountable and find solutions to the current crisis. Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has urged the committee to present a clear action plan.
"You will present a comprehensive report to Parliament on 11th February 2025 when Parliament resumes. We need a clear plan to address these challenges," Wetang'ula said.
The lawmakers have already made it clear that they are prepared to take drastic steps, including reinstating the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) or reducing the 2.75 per cent deduction from workers' salaries to as low as 1 per cent if the new system continues to fail.
Information system
A major point of contention is the Sh104 billion spent on the new health information system, which critics argue was unnecessary, as only Sh700 million was needed to upgrade the old NHIF system.
During a recent retreat, Kitui Rural MP David Mwalika called for an audit of the new system.
"One thing we need to do is to audit this new system. We have to ask how it was purchased. Why does it keep failing? And why did we spend Sh104 billion on a new system and our people are still suffering?" Mwalika asked.
In addition to the health information system, the deployment of community health promoters has also drawn criticism, with MPs questioning the allocation of Sh24 billion for the procurement of kits for these workers.
The Health Committee had previously threatened to withhold budget approvals for the Health Ministry until the two principal secretaries, Mary Muthoni (Public Health) and Harry Kimtai (Medical Services), explained the procurement process.
"We will not approve any budget for the ministry until all questions surrounding the procurement process of the community health promoters’ kits are answered," Pukose said.
The challenges facing President Ruto's health plan threaten to undermine one of his key campaign promises to reform Kenya's healthcare system and provide accessible services to all citizens.
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