Private hospitals demand govt to settle Ksh76B NHIF and SHA debts
By Kiprono Keileb, September 10, 2025The Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) has issued a strong appeal to the government, demanding immediate action on billions owed to health facilities across the country.
In a statement shared on X by RUPHA on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, RUPHA said the state must move swiftly to clear the Ksh33 billion debt owed to hospitals by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). The association emphasised that the financial strain has pushed many facilities to the brink, affecting service delivery and the health of millions of Kenyans.
“Please pay the 33B NHIF debt owed to all hospitals in Kenya,” RUPHA said.
Alongside the NHIF debt, the group also called on the government to address outstanding arrears from the Social Health Authority (SHA). According to the statement, hospitals are owed Ksh43 billion under SHA claims, a backlog that has continued to pile up.
RUPHA proposed an urgent intervention by the government to ease the financial burden, suggesting that at least half of the SHA arrears be cleared without delay. “Pay 50% of the 43B SHA debt,” the association stated.
The group also criticised the massive rejection of hospital claims under SHA, saying the process was unfair and detrimental to the survival of health institutions. RUPHA called for rejected claims to be reconsidered under a more transparent mechanism that gives facilities a chance to comply.
“Convert massive claim rejections to ‘Clarification’ and give hospitals 2 weeks to comply as per the SHA contract,” the statement read.
In addition, RUPHA pressed for the immediate establishment of a Disputes Resolution Tribunal as provided under the SHA framework. The association argued that the absence of such a body had left hospitals without a clear mechanism to resolve payment disputes with the government.
“Set up the Disputes Resolutions Tribunal without further delay,” RUPHA urged.
The association’s appeal comes at a time when the health sector is facing increased financial and operational pressure, with private hospitals highlighting the urgent need for government intervention to safeguard access to care.