Senator Hamida demands transparency in SHA Clinical Officers’ empanelment and NHIF liability statements

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟔 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Senator Hamida Kibwana (Nominated) has sought a Statement from the Standing Committee on Health regarding the criteria used by the Social Health Authority (SHA) to empanel clinical officers. 

“Concerns have been raised that SHA only recognizes clinical officers affiliated with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), leaving out the rest, including those affiliated with the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO),” Sen. Hamida revealed in the House. 

She added, “This has far-reaching implications as it places an unfair financial burden on millions of Kenyans, especially in rural areas, who have to pay cash to access healthcare services at trusted health facilities operated by the excluded clinical officers.”

In her request, the Lawmaker wants the Committee to explain the criteria used by SHA to empanel clinical officers and their respective facilities, addressing the concerns that only clinical officers affiliated with KMPDU are recognized besides outlining any measures in place to ensure that all qualified clinical officers and their respective health facilities are empaneled to facilitate seamless access to healthcare services across the country by everyone registered with SHA. 

In a separate request, the ODM Party Legislator wants the Standing Committee on Health to give a statement regarding the status of payment of liabilities of the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). 

The Committee has been tasked to provide a comprehensive report on all unpaid liabilities of the defunct NHIF, including outstanding claims, pending payments to healthcare providers and other financial obligations, explaining how the liabilities are being addressed.

In addition, the Committee chaired by Sen. Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu) has been requested to outline in its report a specific timeline for settlement of the said liabilities.