Lawmakers have added their voices to criticism of the Social Health Authority’s (SHA) new health insurance scheme, enumerating what they think is wrong with it.

They cited poor services and communication, inadequate funding, unclear implementation frameworks, and citizens’ strained relations with the healthcare system, saying this had discouraged Kenyans from registering for the programme.

MPs made the comments when Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai and SHA board chairman Abdi Mohamed briefed them on how the scheme is being implemented.

Out-of-pocket

They claimed Kenyans seeking medical services in hospitals were not getting help and had to pay from their own pockets.

The MPs’ comments came on the day National Assembly Moses Wetangula directed Health Committee chairperson Robert Pukose (Endebess) to meet with Ministry of Health officials and representatives of SHA next week.

Wetangula wants comprehensive responses from the health bosses on the concerns raised by MPs. A detailed report will then be shared with lawmakers when the National Assembly resumes sitting on February 11.

“We need to know how to address the challenges,” Wetangula said.

Wetangula’s directive followed claims from MPs, led by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, that they had received complaints from patients about the challenges they faced when they visited hospitals.

Ichung’wah criticised what he called SHA’s inadequate public outreach, saying the greatest challenge was how the benefits of the programme were being communicated to Kenyans.

Ability to manage

Saying SHA is a semi-autonomous agency, he advised its officials to demonstrate their capacity and ability to manage it.

He said: “Your communication is shambolic. MPs are mobilising Kenyans [of] their own volition because SHA is failing in its role. If members of Parliament can’t explain the benefits, how do you expect villagers to understand.”

Eve Obara (Kasipul Kabondo) said that convincing her constituents to register for a programme that appeared to be struggling financially was a hard sell.

“What is happening in my constituency is that there are no services being provided under the SHA programme. My people are suffering and there is no one to offer any solutions,” Obara said.

“Can the ministry come up with a questionnaire to know where there are challenges in this programme so as to address the challenge of lack of services in our health facilities.”

Patients were complaining that Taifa Care was not working as most facilities were not treating patients under the SHA scheme, said John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe Central).

“It is hurting that many patients are unable to get services, including treatment and purchase of medicine, yet they are registered,” he said.

Funding shortfalls

Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache) questioned how SHA was planning to address funding shortfalls and ensure greater public awareness.

“You are asking us to rally people to register, but where is the money to sustain this initiative? What measures are in place to ensure its success?” Kibagendi posed.

“There are huge pending bills inherited from NHIF, but you are not paying the facilities that were owed by NHIF.”

The complaints from MPs came despite Kimtai and Mohamed underscoring the importance of sensitising citizens on registering for SHA and on its benefits.

Addressing MPs during their ongoing mid-term retreat in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Mohamed disclosed that while Taifa Care had registered 22 million Kenyans, only four million were active, paid-up members.

The other 18 million, he said, were yet to contribute, because of poor communication, inadequate sensitisation, and financial hurdles.

He urged legislators to educate the public on the benefits of joining the programme and paying premiums based on their ability to contribute.

Benefits of joining

“We are calling on you as leaders to take this message to your constituents. Your endorsement and active involvement are critical to bridging the gap between the government and the people,” Mohamed said.

Kimtai reiterated that SHA is transformative and aimed at reducing healthcare burdens on vulnerable populations.

“This is about equity in health services. We are counting on your leadership to make this vision a reality,” he told MPs.

SHA acting CEO Robert Ingasira acknowledged challenges in communication and outreach efforts but appealed to MPs to become goodwill ambassadors.

He noted that, despite setbacks, there was room to register more Kenyans and pledged that gaps in services were being addressed.