Duale under pressure over SHA delays as hospitals query Sh109bn payments

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Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is under growing pressure after hospitals in several counties raised concerns over delayed reimbursements under the Social Health Authority (SHA), even as the government insists Sh109 billion has already been paid to health facilities.

Public, private and faith-based hospitals in counties including Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nakuru and parts of Western Kenya say pending SHA claims have strained operations following the transition from NHIF to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

Some facilities have warned that continued delays could disrupt services, citing challenges in procuring medicines, paying staff and meeting rising patient demand.

Responding to the concerns, Mr Duale said the government has already disbursed billions of shillings and that clinical review and verification of claims is ongoing to ensure accuracy, compliance and value for public money.

He said 10,272 health facilities have so far been contracted nationwide and are actively delivering services under the new health financing framework.

According to the CS, payments already released include Sh13 billion under the Primary Health Care (PHC) framework, Sh75 billion through SHIF, Sh3.5 billion under the Public Officers Medical Scheme, and Sh1 billion for emergency, chronic and critical illness cases.

Mr Duale said most of the complaints relate to SHA claims still undergoing verification, stressing that delays should not be interpreted as non-payment and are meant to curb inaccurate or inflated claims.

The dispute has emerged alongside wider tensions in the health sector, including concerns raised by clinical officers over working conditions, remuneration and delayed reimbursements to facilities where they provide services.

Hospitals have also flagged staff shortages, drug stock-outs and rising operational costs, adding pressure on county health systems as the reforms take effect.

Mr Duale said the ministry will continue engaging county governments, hospital managers, clinical officers and other stakeholders as outstanding claims are processed in line with the law.