Hospitals to lose licence if they exploit SHA patients

Hospitals illegally charging patients using Social Health Authority cards risk having their licences revoked, Public Health PS Mary Muthoni has said.

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Speaking during a free medical camp in Ndia, Kirinyaga county, she said the Ministry of Health has received multiple complaints from patients forced to pay additional fees for services already covered under SHA, particularly in private and mission hospitals.

“We will not sit back and watch unscrupulous health professionals steal from innocent patients," she said.

"Any facility found counter-charging or failing to offer services covered by SHA will be dealt with firmly, including the revocation of its operating licence."

The PS said some facilities charge Sh100 for child immunisations, a service fully covered by SHA, discouraging mothers from seeking the care and putting children’s lives at risk.

“Even if you have to collect payment elsewhere, please don’t steal from the sick,” she said.

The ministry will intensify inspections nationwide, verifying compliance and ensuring patients receive full value for their contributions.

Hospitals have been directed to display clearly which services are free, which require payment and which are fully covered by SHA.

Muthoni said the move aims to improve transparency, empower patients and curb exploitation. She reiterated the government’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage, better health infrastructure and timely drug supply through Kemsa.

Patients facing challenges with SHA are encouraged to liaise with local and national government offices for assistance.

“Rome was not built in a day. Over the past three years, you have seen the transformation. Our goal is for every facility to provide high-quality healthcare for all Kenyans,” she said.

The warning comes amid the ongoing rollout of SHA, which replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund in October 2024 as part of the government’s Universal Health Coverage reforms.

Under the new system, both formal and informal sector workers contribute to a national insurance pool, ensuring access to essential services at accredited public, private and faith-based facilities.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Patients reporting illegal charges for services already covered by the national health insurance highlights ongoing gaps in compliance and transparency. By threatening licence revocation and intensifying inspections, the government is signalling zero tolerance for exploitation, aiming to restore public trust and ensure equitable access to care.