Kenya Union Of Clinicians faults NHIF-SHA transition

Summary

The roll-out of Kenya's new Social Health Insurance system has faced significant backlash due to chaotic implementation. The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has criticized the forced transition, claiming it is illegal and problematic, with many clinical officers still not enrolled. Over 800 healthcare facilities have not transitioned, leaving patients without services. Clinical officer interns are facing hardships, such as delayed stipends and poor working conditions. While the Ministry of Health defends the transition as lawful, confusion remains over missing contracts and regulations, leaving both healthcare providers and patients uncertain about the system's future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) criticized the rollout of the new Social Health Insurance System, calling it chaotic and reckless.
• 😀 KUCO Secretary General George Gibbor stated that many clinical officers are yet to be enrolled into the new system.
• 😀 A total of 834 health facilities that were previously offering services under NHIF have not been transitioned to the new system, leaving patients without access to services.
• 😀 Clinical officer interns are facing difficulties as they are posted without proper terms and have not received their stipends for several months.
• 😀 Clinical officer interns are also being forced to sleep with patients and eat from their food due to the lack of proper resources.
• 😀 There has been significant public backlash against the forced transition from NHIF to the new system, with many patients being turned away from hospitals or forced to pay for services.
• 😀 The Ministry of Health insists that the transition is lawful under legal notice 147 of 2024, claiming that the migration ensures the continuity of health coverage.
• 😀 The Ministry of Health claims that the legal backing for the automatic migration of individuals from NHIF to the new system is based on nonexistent regulations.
• 😀 The registration for the new system requires individuals to submit extensive personal and sensitive information, including health status, biometric data, and marital status.
• 😀 Four days into the rollout, many service providers still lack formal contracts, and the promised digital contracts have not yet been implemented, causing confusion for patients and healthcare providers.

Q & A

What is the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers' stance on the new Social Health Authority roll-out?

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) has criticized the new Social Health Authority roll-out, calling it chaotic and reckless. They argue that many clinical officers are yet to be enrolled into the new system as service providers.

What concerns were raised regarding the transition of clinical officers to the new system?

KUCO raised concerns that many clinical officers, particularly interns, are facing difficulties due to the transition. These include not being properly enrolled into the system, not receiving their stipends for months, and being forced to sleep in wards and share food with patients.

What is the situation regarding private hospitals and patients under the new system?

The transition has led to some private hospitals refusing services to patients or forcing them to make payments. This has sparked sharp reactions from the public and raised concerns about accessibility and affordability of healthcare.

How has the Ministry of Health responded to the criticism of the transition?

The Ministry of Health has defended the transition, asserting that it is lawful under legal notice 147 of 2024. They argue that the process is intended to ensure continuity of coverage and claim that there is legal backing for the automatic migration of people from NHIF to the new system.

What legal notice supports the migration to the new Social Health Insurance Fund?

The Ministry of Health cites legal notice 147 of 2024 as the legal backing for the migration of people from NHIF to the new Social Health Insurance Fund.

What challenges are clinical officers facing in their duty stations?

Clinical officers, particularly interns, are facing challenges such as being posted without proper terms, not receiving their stipends for months, and having to endure difficult conditions, such as sleeping in wards and eating food meant for patients.

What data does the Ministry of Health require for registration under the new Social Health Insurance Fund?

The Ministry of Health requires both personal and sensitive information for registration, including the individual's name, phone number, birth certificate, health status, biometric data, ethnicity, marital status, and location.

What is the status of the promised digital contract for service providers?

The promised digital contract for service providers has not yet been implemented, leaving patients and healthcare providers in a state of confusion, as many service providers do not have formal contracts as required by the Social Health Authority regulations.

Why are some facilities unable to continue offering services under the new system?

Some facilities, specifically 834 that were previously offering services under NHIF, have not been moved to the new system. As a result, patients who relied on these facilities may be unable to access the services they need.

What has been the public reaction to the forced transition from NHIF to the new system?

A section of Kenyans has expressed dissatisfaction with the forced transition from NHIF to the new system, with some considering it to be illegal and raising concerns about the implications for healthcare access and coverage.