The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (Rupha) has criticised Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over the alleged billions owed by the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
In a statement released on October 31, Rupha revealed that several government ministries, agencies, and departments owed the defunct NHIF a total of Ksh13.8 billion.
According to the association, Ksh12.8 billion represented the total accumulated unpaid premiums as of September 30, 2024.
It stated that the Ministry of Health takes the lead in owing the insurance debt with the largest amount of Ksh7.8 billion.
The debt included Ksh1 billion for the Health Insurance Subsidy Program for Orphans and Vulnerable Children(HISP-OVC), Ksh 289 million for Older Persons and Persons with Severe Disabilities.
Rupha added that Ksh2.1 billion is owed over Linda Mama programs and another Ksh4 billion is tied to Universal Health Coverage.
Other Ministries
According to the private hospitals, other than MOH, the Ministry of Public Service also had a debt of Ksh3 billion for Civil Servant Medical Covers.
It added that the Interior Ministry also owed Ksh1.6 billion for the National Police Service/Kenya Police Service Medical Cover.
Government parastatals and County governments are also among entities yet to clear their dues. Parastatals owe the insurance Ksh60.5 million, while county governments owe Ksh804.5 million.
The association called upon the ministries, parastatals and agencies to take immediate action by sorting out the outstanding debts so as to ensure service continuity at the facilities.
"Money owed to the defunct NHIF by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies as at 30th September 2024. It is instructive to note that the Ministry of Health owes the lion's share at Ksh7.8 B, followed by the Ministry of Public Service (Civil Servants Medical Scheme) at Ksh3.47B," a statement by Rupha read in part.
"So Aden Duale, Cabinet Secretary for Health, when is your Ministry settling its 7.8B? This is enough for 91% of all hospitals in Kenya," the statement added.
