Government guarantees continuous Special Healthcare Access for public employees
The Social Health Authority (SHA) in Kenya has recently suspended 40 health facilities across the country due to allegations of fraudulent claims and malpractice[1][2][4][5]. These facilities have been accused of overcharging and falsifying patient records[5].
In a public announcement, the Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Health and the Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, has assured civil servants that access to healthcare services under SHA remains uninterrupted at all contracted and accredited hospitals, except for those facilities that have been suspended for noncompliance or malpractice[2][4].
Civil servants are not required to pay cash at contracted facilities, and the suspensions are part of efforts to maintain the integrity of the SHA system and protect public resources[2][4][5]. The government has dismissed reports that civil servants will be exempted from access to medical services via the Social Health Authority (SHA) medical insurance cover[3].
CS Ruku declared the reports as "grossly inaccurate" and stated that civil servants will continue to receive medical care in all public hospitals and accredited private hospitals nationwide[3]. The SHA placed the health facilities on suspension following a digital and forensic audit[4].
The suspension of the health facilities does not mean that civil servants will be turned away at any public or private hospitals. In fact, access to quality and seamless healthcare services remains guaranteed for civil servants[4]. No further details were provided regarding the specific health facilities that have been suspended[4].
The government will not be responsible for costs incurred in health facilities that have been suspended due to investigations[2]. CS Ruku's assurance comes amid fears that private hospitals will no longer accept SHA covers for a section of civil servants until the government settles claims accrued over the last nine months[1].
In summary, the SHA's investigation and forensic audits have uncovered fraudulent activities in some health facilities participating in SHA. 40 health facilities have been suspended due to these findings. Civil servants continue to have seamless access to medical services in all other contracted hospitals. The government is committed to protecting the SHA scheme’s integrity and ensuring uninterrupted healthcare for civil servants.
- The suspension of health facilities participating in SHA's scheme is a step to maintain the integrity of the system and protect public resources, ensuring that health and wellness services remain accessible for civil servants at contracted and accredited hospitals.
- Allegations of fraudulent claims and malpractice in some health facilities have led to investigations, digital audits, and the subsequent suspension of 40 such facilities, but this should not affect the medical-conditions care that civil servants receive at public or private hospitals nationwide.
- While the investigation into health facilities under SHA's scheme has resulted in the suspension of 40 facilities due to malpractice and noncompliance, science and politics play a part in the government's commitment to uphold the SHA system’s integrity, guaranteeing continuity of healthcare for civil servants and maintaining a fair and transparent health system.
