Blame Game as Govt Accuses Catholic Bishops of False Statements on NHIF and SHA.
The government and the Catholic Church are locked in a heated dispute over allegations of unpaid health funds, with the Ministry of Health accusing the bishops of spreading misinformation about the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). This blame game has sparked debate on the accountability of public health financing in Kenya.
Commitment to Debt Repayment
CS Barasa emphasized the government’s commitment to clearing the Ksh19 billion NHIF debt owed to healthcare providers, which she noted had accumulated over more than a decade. She added that Ksh7.58 billion had already been mobilized to settle part of the debt in October, following claims of neglect toward faith-based healthcare providers.
“The government takes great exception to the misleading and false statements issued by the Catholic Church Bishops. As of October 4, 2024, the defunct NHIF owed Ksh19 billion to various healthcare providers. The government is committed to settling these historical debts, and last month, Ksh7.58 billion was mobilized for this purpose,” the statement read.
Social Health Authority (SHA) Payments
Barasa further clarified that the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced NHIF, has disbursed over Ksh5 billion to various healthcare providers, including Ksh938 million to faith-based institutions, the majority of which are Catholic-run facilities.
“The SHA has so far disbursed Ksh5,051,202,052, including Ksh938,605,212 to faith-based health facilities, with an additional Ksh2.5 billion set to be released by next week,” she stated.
Catholic Bishops’ Concerns
Earlier that day, Catholic bishops had accused the government of neglecting faith-based hospitals by failing to honor NHIF obligations. They warned that the failure to pay essential service providers had a significant impact on vulnerable communities.
“When the government fails to fulfill its promises, particularly concerning payments to essential service providers, it harms vulnerable communities. This is the case with NHIF. The neglect of Faith-Based Organization hospitals, now owed billions, is an issue we have repeatedly raised, even with the President,” they stated during a press briefing.
The clash between the government and the Catholic bishops underscores the urgent need for transparency and accountability in health financing. As faith-based healthcare providers serve millions of Kenyans, resolving these disputes is essential to protect the most vulnerable communities and restore public trust in the system.
Article By Suzy Nyongesa.
