Confusion reigns among Kenyans as the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the newly formed Social Health Authority (SHA) raises questions over consent and service access.
Just two days after the SHA assured citizens that their data would not be transferred without permission, Kenyans received automated messages informing them of their successful migration to the new system.
The initial communication from SHA, sent via social media earlier in the week, stated: “You need to opt-in to register with SHA since your data cannot be transferred without your consent.” However, yesterday’s text message contradicted this, stating: “Your NHIF account has been migrated successfully to Social Health Authority.” This has left many Kenyans confused and concerned over their healthcare coverage during the transition.
In response to rising public anxiety, National Assembly Health Committee Chairperson Hon. Robert Pukose (Endebess) assured Kenyans that paid-up NHIF members would not lose access to healthcare services. “The Ministry of Health has assured that there will be no service interruptions for NHIF members in good standing, and an emergency toll-free line has been established to address any concerns,” Pukose said, addressing the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Dr. Pukose emphasized that the transition would be automatic for all NHIF members and reiterated that services would remain uninterrupted for those in good standing. However, the assurance has done little to quell concerns raised by some MPs, including Hon. (Dr.) Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula), who reported that constituents were already being denied services in hospitals.
“I, along with many of my colleagues, have received numerous calls from constituents stranded in hospitals—both public and private—where patients are being told that their NHIF cards are either invalid or unacceptable,” Dr. Oundo said. He highlighted the case of a constituent whose spinal surgery was delayed because the NHIF card was deemed invalid, a problem that was only resolved after his personal intervention.
Oundo called for clearer communication from the Ministry of Health and hospital administrators to ensure that NHIF members do not lose access to essential services during the transition. Pukose reassured the public, reiterating that NHIF members are being automatically enrolled in SHA and that an emergency line has been set up to address issues.
