President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to continue registering for the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The head of state, who is on a development tour of the coastal region, says SHA is committed to ensuring equitable and affordable access to medical care.
President Ruto in a statement shared via his official X account on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, stated that Taifa Care that is being administered by SHA will drive the country towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Ruto, who laid the foundation stone for the X-Ray Block and officially opened the Theatre Block at the Mkogani Sub-County Hospital in Kwale County, told the residents to register for SHA so that they can benefit from the healthcare scheme.
“The Social Health Authority is committed to ensuring equitable and affordable access to medical care. Supplemented by the efforts of our Community Health Promoters, the new care will drive our country towards achieving Universal Health Coverage. We ask Kenyans to register and benefit from this transformative healthcare scheme. Laid the foundation stone for the X-Ray Block and officially opened the Theatre Block at the Mkogani Sub-County Hospital, Kwale County. The facility’s upgrade from Level III to Level IV will significantly enhance access to healthcare in the area,” Ruto stated.
The Social Health Authority is committed to ensuring equitable and affordable access to medical care.
Supplemented by the efforts of our Community Health Promoters, the new care will drive our country towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
We ask Kenyans to register and… pic.twitter.com/qf89LpM8xp
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 25, 2025
SHA-RUPHA crisis
His remarks come amid a biting crisis, pitting SHA and the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA).
Hospitals under RUPHA have temporarily suspended services under SHA insurance scheme and Medical Administrator Kenya Limited (MAKL) due to unresolved payment issues.
The suspension took effect on Monday, February 24, 2025, according to guidelines issued to member hospitals by the body on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
However, all facilities will continue providing emergency care to stabilize patients, in accordance with professional and ethical obligations. Once stabilized, patients who opt to exclusively use their SHA or MAKL medical covers shall be referred to a hospital of their choice.
“Emergency cases shall not be denied care under any circumstances,” RUPHA said.
Also, patients admitted under SHA or MAKL before February 24, 2025, will continue receiving care under the existing terms until discharge. Their treatment shall not be disrupted due to the suspension.
RUPHA says the suspension ensures that patients are not abandoned while protecting healthcare providers from financial collapse.
On Thursday, February 20, 2025, RUPHA revealed a Ksh30 billion debt owed by the government to the hospitals, which has made operations difficult.
“The Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA), representing hundreds of private and faith-based healthcare facilities nationwide, announces today (Thursday, February 20, 2025) a suspension of services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) insurance scheme beginning Monday, 24th February 2025.
“As healthcare professionals, our first duty is the welfare of our patients. However, the continued failure to address critical challenges in the SHA transition is now directly endangering the quality and sustainability of care in our hospitals. This decision has not been made lightly,” the RUPHA statement read.
RUPHA chairman Dr. Brian Lishenga, in an interview with a local TV station on Monday evening, revealed that they had held a meeting with the government over the standoff, but no solution was provided.
According to Lishenga, the government side maintained that there is no money to settle the debt in question.
