Justifying the move, Nakhumicha
stated that the funds will be used to clear the billions that NHIF owes to
government and private health facilities.
As a result, she noted that
Kenyans will continue paying for NHIF until the full transition to SHIF.
This is despite some health
institutions turning away NHIF cardholders due to unpaid claims.
Nakhumicha was speaking to the
Senate amidst mounting pressure for the NHIF to settle its debts.
She outlined the government's
plan, which includes the formation of a transition committee tasked with
reviewing all claims.
According to the CS, this committee
will ensure that healthcare providers are compensated as the nation pivots to
the new health coverage framework set to launch on July 1.
The CS stressed to the senators
that there was no cause for alarm despite revealing a staggering debt of Ksh30
billion owed by the NHIF, with Ksh22 billion of this being attributed to
government institutions. She assured that "service providers will be paid
once claims are verified and reconciled and the resources are available."
However, in a significant
announcement, CS Nakhumincha declared the imminent release of Ksh8.5 billion to
begin settling these debts, with Ksh5.5 billion sourced from the Treasury and
an additional Ksh3 billion drawn from NHIF reserves. These funds are expected
to be disbursed by next week.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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