Patients to pay in cash due to SHA crisis, private hospitals announce

Patients to pay in cash due to SHA crisis, private hospitals announce

Kenyans seeking treatment at private and faith-based hospitals under the controversial Social Health Authority (SHA) will need to make cash payments starting Monday, February 24, 2025.  

According to a press statement shared on Thursday, February 20, 2025, the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) noted that the decision is unavoidable to safeguard patient care and hospital sustainability. 

RUPHA also underscored that despite their unwavering commitment to serving the public, hospitals cannot continue to provide services in an environment that jeopardizes financial stability and patient safety.

The group, however, affirmed their readiness to work with the government if real solutions are presented. 

“We stand ready to work with the government if real solutions are presented. However, we cannot continue subsidizing a broken system at the cost of patient safety and hospital sustainability,” the statement signed bu RUPHA Chairman Brian Lishenga added. 

Also affected in recent changes by RUPHA are teachers and police officers who will now be unable to access medical cover services over the SHA crisis. 

Justifying the decision, RUPHA noted that SHA failed to settle outstanding debts for 11 months. 

“RUPHA members will no longer provide care under the Medical Administrator Kenya Limited (MAKL) scheme, which covers police officers and teachers.

“MAKL has failed to pay hospitals for over 11 months, forced hospitals to accept arbitrary and unexplained discounts, and favored its own clinics in an uncompetitive and unethical manner.

“Without urgent government intervention, teachers and police officers will be left without quality healthcare services, further straining public hospitals already at breaking point,” RUPHA added. 

Demands to govt

The group further issued demands to the government which they want addressed immediately. 

The demands include the settlement of Ksh30 billion NHIF arrears. 

This, according to the group, should be done either. Through full payment or a clear, transparent settlement plan, revision of the SHA outpatient reimbursement model to reflect actual operational costs and ensure sustainable service provision.

“We urge Parliament, civil society, and professional bodies to support urgent reforms that will protect the healthcare system from complete collapse,” it added.