The most likely to be affected by any possible disruption
are those admitted or undergoing treatment, both locally and overseas, whose
fate is yet to be clarified upon the expiry of the contract period amidst the
ongoing transition of NHIF to Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), a civil
servants union said yesterday.
State employees with critical illnesses who undergo
treatment such as dialysis, chemotherapy and radiotherapy more than once weekly
are also likely to be affected.
The Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS), which represents
public workers, is now urging the government to move with speed and secure an
extension of services as it proceeds with the procurement procedures for the
provision of insurance cover for the
2024-25 financial year.
While Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha and
Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni have assured that the public will continue
using their NHIF covers even beyond July 1, there has been no clarification
over what will happen to those under contracted enhanced covers with fixed end
dates such as civil servants, warned unionists.
“We need clarity to end the apprehension among members,”
said Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS) deputy national treasurer Judy
Wangari on June 28 in a statement.
Unlike ordinary covers, members of the enhanced scheme can
access hospitals under comprehensive or non-comprehensive contracts depending
on their individual allocations.
“Comprehensive hospitals offer all-inclusive services of all
the packages to enhanced scheme members without pay (walk in and walk out). The
scope of service covered without out-of-pocket payment,” NHIF guidelines show.
Those on higher allocations can also access
non-comprehensive hospitals under Fixed Fee For Service.
To add to the confusion, already the Ministry of Public
Service has invited bids for the civil servants and disciplined forces
health insurance cover, with the closing
date stated as July 5, a few days after the lapse of the contract.
UKCS has also advised that the monitoring and evaluation
report of the contract with NHIF be considered and the current benefit package
to be upheld while awarding the new contract, since members expect an improved
level of service, not a decline.
“A healthy and energised civil service translates to better
government services,” Ms Wangari said in the statement, highlighting the
importance of resolving the looming healthcare crisis.
The rollout of SHIF has been slow due to technical
challenges and slow registration by Kenyans due to ambiguities in the system.
Yesterday, CS Nakhumicha said self-registration to the
Social Health Authority (SHA) will start on July 1, 2024, while NHIF
contributions will continue until the rollout of Universal Health Cover (UHC).
A committee appointed by the Ministry of Health recently
recommended that the rollout be suspended to allow for solutions to the
challenges.
“The ICT experts have been asked to propose alternatives to
the ICT system for the SHA, especially in the area of registration and contribution,” the committee said
in its report.
“There is need for an alternative solution that also
includes the withdrawal of the SHA regulations and the use of NHIF systems, and
the latter has financial implications. The nature of the contract with the
current NHIF system licenses and contracts needs to be renewed.”
They cited a pilot run in Marsabit County, which the report
says exposed significant shortcomings in the technological infrastructure.
The government needs at least Sh5 billion to set up ICT
infrastructure for the SHIF, according to Afya House.
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