What You Need to Know
The Kenyan Ministry of Health has suspended the tariff-locking mechanism in the Social Health Authority (SHA) system, allowing civil servants to access healthcare services without additional fees. This decision follows reports of civil servants being denied services or required to pay out of pocket. A joint rapid response desk will also be established to address issues related to unauthorized fees
Africa-Press – Kenya. The Ministry of Health has scrapped the tariff-locking mechanism in the Social Health Authority (SHA) system following reports that civil servants were being denied services or asked to pay out of pocket at health facilities.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced on Thursday, April 23, after chairing a meeting to improve healthcare services for civil servants.
“To alleviate the immediate friction at the point of care, SHA will immediately withdraw the tariff locking currently configured in the system,” Duale announced.
Under the agreement, all SHA-contracted facilities have also been barred from charging civil servants any fees for medication, effective immediately.
At the same time, provisions enforcing strict tariff application have also been suspended until nationwide tariff negotiations are reached.
“This directive is in strict adherence to the binding obligations already executed in the Main Contract and the Addendum signed between the facilities and SHA. Accordingly, the strict tariff applications contemplated under Clause 10.2(c) of the Addendum shall remain suspended,” read part of the resolution.
In urgent cases, the meeting agreed to establish a joint rapid response desk to secure the release of civil servants detained in hospitals due to outstanding bills.
The response desk will bring together SHA, the State Department of Public Service, and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS). It will process refunds for unauthorised charges found to have been made.
The resolution comes after public servants reported being turned away from hospitals or required to pay cash for services they already funded through salary deductions.
The crisis has particularly affected patients with chronic conditions, including those needing dialysis, cancer treatment, and diabetes management, as well as accident and emergency cases.
Following the widespread reports, the ministry dismissed the reports that SHA services for civil servants were suspended, stating that contracted health facilities should not be demanding cash payments.
In the meeting held today, the ministry agreed to enforce a strict “walk-in, walk-out” policy with no co-payments allowed.
Only facilities contracted within the SHA network will be permitted to offer services under POMSF, with violations attracting penalties, including de-contracting.
The Social Health Authority (SHA) was established to streamline healthcare access for civil servants in Kenya, ensuring they receive necessary medical services without financial barriers. However, recent reports indicated that many civil servants faced challenges accessing these services, prompting the Ministry of Health to take immediate action to rectify the situation and uphold the rights of public servants to healthcare. The suspension of tariff enforcement is a significant step towards improving healthcare delivery and addressing the grievances of civil servants.
