By MKT Correspondents
The Government has until 21st March, that is 14 days from today, to pay health claims made by faith-based health institutions, or else, patients seeking treatment will either have to pay cash, or turned away.
The institutions under the umbrella of the Kenya Faith-based health services consortium, bringing together the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), commanding about 1300 health facilities countrywide, insist that they will not continue offering service to Kenyans across the country, as painful as it is, because they have been subjected to promises after promises with no action to the words made.
During a press conference in Nairobi attended by key clergymen representing the critical health institutions under their control, they demanded an immediate payment of KSh10 billion that has accrued over a period, dating back to the now defunct NHIF before any more engagements are made.
According to the consortium, NHIF owes them KSh6.8 billion, SHA KSh2.2 billion and the scheme under which Police and Prison officers as well as teachers are which is known as as MAKL, another KSh1 billion.
The clergy said SHA systems are not working and are susceptible to manipulation from outside sources now that the report by the Auditor General has revealed that it is being run from elsewhere.
According to SUPKEM chairman Hassan Ole Naado, the government should take control of the SHA system and ensure there are enough staff members to cater to the needs of Kenyans who seek medical services daily.
Consequently, Bishop Dr. Lang’at, who is in charge of Tenwek hospital, said they would be forced to turn away patients notwithstanding the fact that they they perform over 75% of operations, insisting the debts accrued have pushed them to the wall.
On the matter of the statement issued by President William Ruto on paying claims that are less than KSh10 million, the clergy questioned the motive, noting there have been numerous cases where the debts have been evaluated and thus this fresh attempt is a delaying tactic.
Machakos Bishop Norman King’oo supported calls for the firing of Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa, saying the system is not working as is.
The church also wants the government to prioritize what is key to Kenyans, especially health, saying there is a deliberate lacklustre approach to Kenyans needs, insisting, the government should be clear enough and accept challenges where it has been unable to succeed, like accepting there is no cash flow.