The Rural Urban Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA) yesterday lifted suspension of the Social Health Authority-funded services following President William Ruto’s Wednesday acknowledgement that the government owes the health facilities billions of shillings.

However this comes as the Kenya Faith-Based Health Services Consortium (KFBHSC) issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to offset more than Sh10 billion owed to them, or they will resort to cash payment.

The Consortium claimed in a separate press conference that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), SHA, and the Medical Administrators Kenya Limited (MAKL).

Veryfying claims

Whereas, KFBHSC took a combative stand, RUPHA welcomed President Ruto’s response, describing it as necessary to the concerns raised by healthcare providers.

“In recognition of this commitment, RUPHA has resolved to lift the suspension of SHA-funded services, effective immediately, while continuing to monitor the implementation of these commitments,” the association chairman, Dr Brian Lishenga, said, urging the government to disburse at least Sh10 million upfront to the RUPHA facilities.

While acknowledging the need for verifying claims above Sh10 million, Dr Lishenga, however contested that many of these hospitals have undisputed clean claims, and an advance payment will provide essential financial relief as they await the validation process.

“RUPHA appreciates the government’s responsiveness to the concerns raised by healthcare providers,” he said at the RUPHA head office in Industrial Area.

On Wednesday, Ruto outlined the government’s plan to address the outstanding debt left behind by the defunct NHIF, which has negatively impacted the rollout of SHA.

He said the government owed facilities more than Sh30 billion by the time the NHIF became defunct on November 22, 2024, adding that there was an elaborate plan to settle all the debts. These facilities, according to the president, constituted 91 per cent of the total hospitals that were owed by the government.

“The remaining 9 per cent, with claims of over Ksh10 million, will be subjected to a verification exercise which should be completed within 90 days,” Ruto said, adding that Cabinet Secretary for Health Deborah Barasa will be tasked to gazette the verification committee within a week.

However, RUPHA cautioned that if the government reneges on it promises, the association will resume the suspension of SHA services.

“We remain committed to constructive engagement with the government, Parliament, and all stakeholders to ensure that all healthcare facilities—big or small—can operate in a financially sustainable environment while delivering quality care to Kenyans.

Bishop Charles Asilutwa, the Chairman of Christian Hospitals Association of Kenya (CHAK) and Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), gave a breakdown of what their facilities are owed.

Asilutwa said that about Sh6.8 billion by the defunct NHIF, Sh2.15 billion and Sh1 billion by SHA and MAKL respectively worth of claims remain unpaid. 

 “The Faith-Based health facilities are currently experiencing serious financial distress even as they struggle to continue offering health care services due to outstanding debts,” said Asilutwa.