KNH to deny admission to patients without SHA cover or cash payment
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has issued a new directive that is expected to impact patients who are not covered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has issued a new directive that is expected to impact patients who are not covered under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme.
In a memo dated Thursday, July 24, KNH Acting Chief Executive Officer William Sigilai announced that patients must have a valid SHA membership for admission or pay a deposit for medical cases or the equivalent cost of the SHA surgical package.
According to Sigilai, the changes will take effect immediately.
“Effective today, all patients presenting for admission without a valid SHA membership must be required to pay the admission deposit for medical cases or the equivalent SHA surgical package cost, protocol receiving service, unless it is an emergency case,” he said.
With the new policy, patients may now face delays or denial of care unless they are enrolled in SHA or can pay out of pocket; a financial barrier that many cannot meet.
This comes a month after Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale was forced to clarify remarks made by Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura that Hustler Fund defaulters will be denied access to Social Health Authority (SHA) services.
US introduces new ‘visa integrity fee’
Universities facing cash crisis as mass layoffs, closure of satellite campuses loom
Government announces plans to increase police officers’ salaries
Police Constable Jackson Kipkoech sentenced to 30 years for murdering his superior
Speaking in an interview on Monday, June 23, Mwaura had suggested that Kenyans who defaulted on Hustler Fund loans would be barred from accessing SHA benefits.
“If you took a Hustler Fund loan and defaulted, we will make arrangements to ensure that you don’t get Social Health Authority (SHA) benefits because you must pay your loan; a total of Ksh6 billion in defaulted loans is a lot of money,” he said.
However, responding to the remarks, Duale dismissed Mwaura’s statement and reiterated the government’s commitment to health coverage.
“The information is inaccurate. All Kenyans have a right to access Social Health Authority (SHA) services regardless of their engagement with Hustler Fund,” the CS stated.
Kenyan Activist Mwabili Mwagodi reportedly abudcted in Tanzania
NEMA director arrested over bribery
US appoints new Chargé d’Affaires for Embassy Nairobi
Kisumu youth allied to Ruto call for Edwin Sifuna removal as ODM Secretary General
Russian plane crashes in Russia’s far east, nearly 50 people on board feared dead
Follow us
