A wave of outrage is sweeping across the country as reports now emerge that, contrary to the normal monthly contributions, the Social Health Authority (SHA) is now demanding full-year payments before providing services.
This sudden shift without prior notice has sent Kenyans into utter shock and confusion, and worried about their access to healthcare.
Under the new approach, patients presenting at hospitals are being told that they must pay a lump sum for the SHA covering an entire year before receiving treatment.
According to Kenyans who took up the matter on their various social media pages, these contrasting changes have been witnessed since June.
"What is the problem with this SHA? I have tried to pay for my monthly contribution, which for the first two months I paid Ksh1,030 each. Now I am being asked to pay a yearly total of Ksh12,460. Has the system of payment changed? It appears SHA is for the haves and not the don't have," John Nalugala, one of the affected Kenyans, revealed on Facebook.
"I, together with many ailing Kenyans, visited one of our Level 4 hospitals. To our dismay, SHA wasn't able to serve us medically. The hospital claims we should pay for SHA services yearly and not the monthly contribution," Linda George, another Kenyan, shared her frustrations.
A spot check by Kenyans.co.ke also revealed that Kenyans have been facing this same problem, with those unable to make the full payment being asked to pay via the Hustler Fund loan, then repay the loan in instalments.
The situation, which is affecting Kenyans across all counties, is forcing patients to pay out of pocket or return home untreated, despite having previously made monthly contributions to the scheme.
Kenyans are facing this new challenge in a month when President William Ruto launched the 'lipa pole pole' model, where a mobile-based payment scheme was introduced to make SHA premiums more accessible, especially for Kenyans in the informal sector.
Under the new staggered payment plan, which took effect in June, self-employed Kenyans are now required to clear the annual subscription to SHA in lump sum through a Hustler Fund loan, scrapping the monthly contributions.
Kenyans are raising concerns that this is a way of forcefully shoving the loans into their already bleeding pockets.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Ouma Oluga told Nation Media that the Ministry is addressing the concerns. He urged affected Kenyans to collect all cases and keep a record of the occurrences.
SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi also told the media house that efforts are underway to look into the matter, promising swift action.
“I’m following up on this and on the system, after which I will give an update. But for now, kindly collect all these issues and share them with me,” she told the Nation.
Meanwhile, Kenyans who had been promised affordable health services are now facing frustrations and being locked out of essential services.
