The Cabinet Secretary for Health Susan Nakhumicha has admitted to the assertion that the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is currently insolvent.
The CS revealed that the state insurer is insolvent and unable to pay the hospitals’ capitation payments.
In an interview with Radio Citizen, Nakhumicha indicated that the Finance Bill 2023, which contains several provisions would improve conditions at the NHIF.
“Kenya is broke, and that is a fact that no one can deny. The cash crisis has even affected the NHIF, and that is the whole truth. We are working on all available interventions to see how we will address the situation. One of the best solutions we are thinking about is the taxation measures in the Finance Bill. That is why our president is so passionate about it,” Cs said.
Kenyans living in remote areas who pay through the national insurance program run the risk of not receiving quality medical care from private institutions.
The Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (Rupha) accused the National Hospital Insurance Fund of failing to send payments.
The association comprising more than 350 hospitals complained about the plan’s April–July 2023 quarter’s late payments.
Brian Lishenga, chairman of Rupha, said that the remittance delays have slowed down hospital operations, causing delayed wages and layoffs.