Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said that most private hospitals in residential areas will be shut down once the Social Health Authority (SHA) is fully implemented.
Speaking to the media, Duale revealed that 60 per cent of clinics will close since they were opened through fraudulent activities that took place within the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which has now been replaced by SHA.
“The day SHA takes root, 60 percent of the many clinics you see in estates will close. Most hospitals that you thought were doing good work were opened because of the fraud that took place in NHIF,” he said.
He promised to dismantle cartels in the health sector, claiming that those opposing SHA are part of these cartels.
Duale also urged Kenyans not to listen to propaganda from those opposing SHA.
"Those who are making noise about SHA—every night I watch the news, and the common topic is the Ksh 30 billion NHIF bill. Do not listen to propaganda; those who are fighting it are the cartels," he added.
Duale took over the Ministry of Health from Deborah Barasa, who was also moved to the Environment Ministry, at a time when the health sector is faced with a myriad of challenges.
Kenya's health sector is facing significant obstacles that threaten its ability to provide equitable care to its citizens. Some of the challenges include inadequate funding, which hampers the availability of essential medical supplies, equipment, and infrastructure improvements.
Among the primary challenges are numerous strikes by medical workers demanding that the government fulfil its promises, as well as the troubled Social Health Authority (SHA).
On March 26, in his acceptance speech for his new cabinet role, Duale promised to streamline the sector as he focuses on fulfilling President Ruto's UHC agenda.
"In my new role, I remain committed to working with relevant stakeholders in driving government policies that strengthen healthcare delivery, ensuring accessible and quality services for all Kenyans."
"A key priority will be advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to guarantee equitable healthcare access, especially for vulnerable populations," Duale promised.
