Staff within the Ministry of Health found to be directly or indirectly stifling efforts to better the Social Health Authority(SHA) could face the sack, according to new Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
Duale, while speaking at Adams Arcade Mosque during Eid ul-Fitr celebrations on Sunday, vowed to crack down on cartels whom he accused of deliberately sabotaging the government's efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage(UHC).
According to Duale, he had already engaged with President William Ruto on his mandate in his new docket, with the President endorsing his decision to do whatever it takes to ensure SHA works.
“With the commitment of the President and my commitment, I want to assure Kenyans that universal healthcare is for all citizens," the CS announced.
He added, "For those with personal interests, they better come to their senses and decide whether they want to work for citizens or work for themselves."
Nearly six months after the rollout of SHA, the country is yet to fully embrace the new healthcare system, with the government battling a spate of issues, including public stigma. Further, some unscrupulous government workers have been accused of colluding with private hospitals to frustrate SHA efforts, leading to delayed payments and service delivery.
The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) Chairperson Hassan Ole Nado also noted during the Eid celebration that some private hospitals have put a cap on the usage of SHA to encourage patients to use cash instead.
“We have realized that hospitals are minimizing the cost of SHA. If someone seeks treatment through SHA, they reduce the money that can be used for the scheme,” Ole Nado observed, urging Duale to crack the whip on such practices.
Duale warned that persons within his ministry acting out of individual interest could lose their jobs if it means bettering UHC.
“If you are working for personal interest, then you have no space in Afya House,” he warned.
Duale's warning came just days after he declared that most private hospitals in residential areas will be shut down once the Social Health Authority (SHA) is fully implemented.
He noted 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through fraudulent activities that took place within the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which has now been replaced by SHA.
