NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 23 – Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha says she will not give up on her mission to see that changes are made at the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
This comes as investigations into claims that some private health institutions engaged in fraud by filing false medical claims are still ongoing.
Speaking on Friday during the inauguration of the Heart Center and Cath Lab Unit at Coptic Hospital, Nakhumicha stated that transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to a social health insurance fund, which is now underway, will guarantee Kenyans to receive value for their money.
“The prayer of many Kenyans is to see change. As a minister, I am not going to fear to act, neither am I going to act in fear, I will do what I can do within the time that I will be serving as a Minister for Health,” she said.
“We are committed to reforming NHIF and introducing a new social health insurance scheme that caters to the needs of all Kenyans. This scheme will be effective because we are developing an essential package and determining its cost.”
She pointed out that the patient will be taken care of by the social health insurance fund regardless of whether they choose to go to a private or public hospital.
“As we reform NHIF we want to have a new vehicle; a social health insurance that takes care of Kenyans needs, that should a patient choose to walk to a private hospital or public, the hospital will have its bill paid by a new social health insurance scheme,” she said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha Monday suspended National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) branch managers accused of defrauding Kenyans.
The suspension of the officials followed an NTV exposé that uncovered fraudulent individuals masquerading as healthcare providers affiliated with NHIF.
The exposé shed light on their deceitful practices, which targeted residents in Meru and Nairobi by making false promises to alleviate the debilitating effects of arthritis.
Consequently, Nakhumicha has instructed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, along with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, to initiate independent investigations into the issue.
Their primary objective is to uncover any possible misconduct or irregularities, aiming to assist in identifying those responsible.
“This proactive step demonstrates the commitment of the Ministry of Health to uphold transparency and accountability within the healthcare sector,” she said.
The CS issued an additional directive to the NHIF board, instructing them to initiate an investigation into the reported fraudulent activities and provide a report to her by Wednesday.
In light of the startling revelations, Nakhumicha also announced that they would conduct a comprehensive lifestyle audit on all NHIF staff members.
“This is therefore to ensure that each member of staff can explain their wealth portfolio in consistence with their earnings,” she said.
Nakhumicha has also informed the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) about the investigation, and they are scheduled to conduct a thorough inquiry into the astonishing fraud scheme.
She has in the meantime instructed that the affected hospitals in Meru and Nairobi should transfer their patients to alternative facilities “In the interest of patient safety and uninterrupted care”.
