‘From Bad to Worse’: Church Leaders Demand Suspension of Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

The clergy, led by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), have condemned the newly introduced Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), claiming it worsens the plight of Kenyans.

Addressing the press, the clergymen expressed strong disapproval of SHIF, calling for its immediate suspension. They argued that the program was rolled out hastily, without a clear plan to make it effective and accessible for all Kenyans.

According to the clergy, many patients are now forced to pay out-of-pocket for medical services despite being enrolled in SHIF. They urged the government to reconsider and restructure the program to ensure Kenyans receive fair value for their contributions.

“Let us not sacrifice any more lives just to collect money from Kenyans. We can return to SHIF when it is properly structured and stable. It doesn’t make sense that Kenyans are paying more but receiving fewer benefits. We are moving from bad to worse,” said NCCK Chair Bishop Alphonce Anga.

His sentiments were echoed by AIPCA Bishop Joseph Ngige, who highlighted the struggles of patients needing dialysis and diabetic care. He questioned why the government insisted the program was fully operational when hospitals were still failing to meet patients’ needs.

“We have members on dialysis and members with diabetes. To our surprise, when they reach hospitals, they don’t get the services they require and are often forced to pay out-of-pocket,” Bishop Ngige said. “The government claims the program is operational. But if the common man isn’t receiving proper care, how can we believe it’s working?”

Catholic Bishop Anthony Muheria also criticized the government, noting that the lack of access to healthcare violates basic human rights. “We seem to have forgotten the sick. People who die because they can’t access healthcare are our primary concern,” he said.

In response, the government maintained that SHIF is operational and encouraged those experiencing issues to seek assistance from the Ministry of Health. President William Ruto defended the program, emphasizing its role in strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system.

“Our plan is to ensure that every citizen who seeks treatment receives it without discrimination. Moving forward, no Kenyan will be asked about payment at our hospitals,” Ruto said.