SHA pays Ksh299M to faith-based hospitals amid billions in NHIF claims

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has disbursed Ksh299.57 million to 197 faith-based healthcare facilities in Kenya, settling pending claims from the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). This payment, categorized as Batch 2 of 4 by SHA, addresses claims of Ksh10 million or less. Major beneficiaries include prominent mission hospitals like AIC Githumu Hospital, Maseno Hospital, Kakuma Mission Hospital, St Damianо Mission Hospital, St Joseph’s Hospital Nyabondo, and Tigania Hospital.

Individual payments ranged from just over Ksh1,000 to nearly Ksh10 million, with Maseno Hospital receiving the largest payout at Ksh8.57 million and St Damiano Mission Hospital at Ksh8.41 million. Smaller claims were also processed, with Naromoru Catholic Dispensary receiving Ksh1,074.05 and Ruchu Catholic Dispensary paid Ksh1,746.43.

This disbursement is part of a government initiative backed by Ksh4 billion to settle verified NHIF claims of Ksh10 million and below, targeting 3,527 healthcare facilities nationwide. Facilities had to complete a verification and sign-off process before receiving payment. The government aims to clear the NHIF debt, which amounted to Ksh33 billion at the time of NHIF's winding up on November 22, 2024.

President William Ruto highlighted the government's prioritization of smaller claims, accounting for about 91% of the contracted facilities, and pledged to address the remaining claims after verification.