Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has warned that private clinics operating in residential estates will shut down once the newly established Social Health Authority (SHA) takes full effect.
According to CS Duale, SHA would eliminate fraudulent healthcare providers who had been benefiting from loopholes in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
He attributed the survival of many hospitals and clinics to what he described as widespread fraud under NHIF, arguing that the transition to SHA would expose the malpractices.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, says most private clinics in estates will be closed once the Social Health Authority takes root. Photo: Courtesy.
“I’m telling you; mark my words today, the day the Social Health Authority (SHA) takes root, 60% of the many clinics you see in the estates will close. Most hospitals that you thought were doing good work were open because of the fraud that was taking place in NHIF,” he said.
Duale also urged Kenyans not to listen to propaganda from those opposing SHA.
“Those who are making noise about SHA every night I watch the news, and the common topic is the Ksh 30 billion NHIF bill. Do not listen to propaganda; those who are fighting it are the cartels,” he added.
His remarks come as Kenya’s health sector is facing significant obstacles that threaten its ability to provide equitable care to its citizens.
Some of the challenges include inadequate funding, which hampers the availability of essential medical supplies, equipment, and infrastructure improvements.
On March 26, in his acceptance speech for his new cabinet role, Duale promised to streamline the sector as he focuses on fulfilling President Ruto’s UHC agenda.
Duale recently took over the Ministry of Health from Deborah Barasa, who was also moved to the Environment Ministry.
