Private hospitals announce suspension of services to SHA members

The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA) has announced that emergency and critical services will no longer be extended on credit to patients covered by the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Speaking on Monday, September 2025, RUPHA Chairperson Brian Lishenga said, “We will not be extending credit to SHA. They have already proven to be a bad borrower and a bad debtor. Hospitals have already advanced SHA credit worth Ksh 76 billion. How much more do they want?”

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Lishenga said the decision follows repeated instances of non-payment and what he described as ungrateful treatment of private hospitals by the SHA.

“The only thing we have received in return is public criticism from the minister calling hospitals fraudsters and cartels, despite the support we have provided to deliver health services to Kenyans,” he said.

The suspension affects all patients covered by SHA, although hospitals confirmed that emergency services will still be available on a cash basis to ensure critical care is not denied. Routine and elective services under SHA coverage will, however, be suspended until further notice.

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Private hospitals say the move is aimed at protecting their operations, noting that SHA has defaulted on payments for services previously rendered.

According to Lishenga, the total unpaid credit advanced to SHA amounts to Ksh 76 billion, creating a financial strain on private health facilities that have continued to deliver care in good faith.

“Anybody who knows they are being conned must draw the line. SHA has already proven it cannot meet its obligations. Enough is enough,” Lishenga stated firmly.

RUPHA said it remains open to dialogue with SHA to resolve the payment impasse and urged the government to ensure that agreements with private hospitals are honoured.

The association stressed that its move is aimed at safeguarding healthcare provision while ensuring accountability from the authority managing the public’s health insurance contributions.

The announcement follows a directive by the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) a day earlier, stating that private hospitals will only accept cash from Social Health Authority (SHA) patients. Effective Monday, September 22, 2025, the move comes after delayed SHA payments.

RUPHA added that the decision was necessary to ensure hospitals remain operational, maintain essential supplies, and continue serving patients.