SHA experienced system overload – Moses Kuria

The Social Health Authority has been experiencing system challenges after many people were onboarded.

Speaking on Monday, January 20 on Spice FM, President William Ruto’s senior economic advisor Moses Kuria explained that the system issues have made many individuals unable to access the portal.

“It’s true that the numbers at our level five and six like Kenyatta hospital are right now overwhelming, a lot of people are trying to access the system. 

There was misalignment of one piece of technology, the IHTS(Integrated Healthcare Information Technology) system and the providers portal,” Kuria said.

He has attributed the overwhelming numbers at the portal to a top-down approach that was adopted.

“We allowed all the facilities 15,000 of them to be able to access our system from the backend,” he pointed.

Kuria noted that despite the challenges, the system is on enhancement to serve all Kenyans efficiently.

“ I am not claiming perfection, emerging issues are becoming opportunities for us to fix the system. By 31st of July we anticipate that all will be working,” he added.

The advisor noted that they are now advanced in dealing with specific complaints regarding the system.

They are also working towards ensuring that Kenyans get similar services from both public and private facilities without discrimination.

“The thing about those level 2, 3, 4, and level 5 hospitals is that they are not the only ones under SHA. You get treated in a private hospital in the same way you will be treated in a public hospital. SHA does not discriminate,” he said.

Kuria further noted the significant increase in the insurance fund collection since the adoption of SHA in October 2024.

He revealed the government’s plan to incorporate individuals from the informal sector to boost the collection.

“I would like to see more benefits going to the ICU and the HDU, once we get people from the informal sector to come and help you get more money,” he said.

The advisory team is also forming a committee to review the benefits accrued from the insurance.