Drama and commotion unfolded at Afya House after patients stormed the premises to protest against the failure of the recently rolled out Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a video seen by K24 Digital, the disgruntled patients, including a new mother and her infant, expressed their disappointment in the scheme lamenting that its inefficiency has left them stranded.
They also lamented that efforts to seek answers from the officials at the offices have failed to bear fruit and called on the government to immediately intervene.
“Si sisi pekee yetu tumekuja, there are patients waiting outside the gate wameshinda wakinipigia sim, we have walked to the offices in the NHIF. I have even gone to the iCT department, they are not able to give us any access, they are not able to get into any portal,” they said.
The scheme has continuously received backlash over its ineffectiveness during health emergencies.
Despite the complaints by Kenyans over its inadequacies, President William Ruto defended the scheme saying it will transform the country’s health care sector.
He acknowledged the challenges noting that the challenges raised are being managed and will soon fade out.
“I know we have had challenges because we are transitioning from what it was to the new model. In every transition they will be challenges, which we are managing. Last week we disbursed money for hospital and dispensaries and next week will do the same until transition is complete,” Ruto said.
More than 17.8 million Kenyans have registered with SHA since its launch in October.
Of these, 13.2 million are new members, Director General for Health Patrick Amoth on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, revealed that 4.6 million Kenyans switched from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
He added that out of the 17.8 million recipients, SHA has effectively paid for 21,000 oncology cases, 8,300 dialysis sessions, and eight kidney transplants.
