Gov't criticised over dilly-dallying in streamlining of SHA

The failure by the government to quickly streamline operations of the Social Health Authority (SHA) has elicited a scathing criticism by the Bishop of the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC).

Bishop Meshack Mukwilu's call has come at a time when majority of Kenyans are asking the government to address SHA and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) challenges which have put their lives at risk.

Bishop Mukwilu lamented that failure by the Government to take appropriate action to redeem the national health management system was slowly killing the health care sector.

“There is some foul play taking place on this SHA platform. Kenyans have been paying SHIF (formerly NHIF) deductions and yet no services are being offered. Some departments are still being served under the defunct NHIF. How do we pay the health care professionals working in hospitals if money is not being channeled as it should be?” the Bishop posed.

He challenged elected leaders to stand up for the rights of the citizens through the existing channels of governance.

The cleric urged the government to ensure provision of essential services is not compromised even as it navigates the challenge of a failing economy.

“It is our responsibility to remind the government that no matter how difficult the situation is, there are some services that cannot be compromised. Failure to provide timely and quality health care services may lead patients to succumb to complications and we urge political leaders to take it up and also hold the government to account," Dr Mukwilu said at Wote Church  while addressing a Leaders Forum over the weekend.

Bishop Mukwilu said 61years after independence, Kenyan government should by now be in a position to address most of its obligations to the citizens without having to rely on foreign borrowing or donations.

“61 years of independence and we are still moving around begging for aid. Something must be wrong somewhere. We should be able to meet our basic needs such as health care, education and employment,” said the Bishop.