This archive report was first published on 30 December 2021.
On December 30, 2021, four unions in the healthcare sector issued a stern warning to the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) over the new 2022-2024 contracts.
The Kenya Association of Private Hospitals (KAPH), Rural Private Hospital Association of Kenya (RUPHA), the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), and the Kenya Dental Association expressed grave concerns over reports that NHIF had unilaterally issued contracts to some member facilities for summary execution, in some cases within a 24-hour period.
The union officials, led by Dr. Timothy Olweny from KAPH, Dr. Brian Lishenga from RUPHA, Dr. Were Onyino from KMA, and Dr. Tim Theuri from the Kenya Dental Association, advised their members against signing any contracts issued by NHIF branch offices until further notice.
According to the unions, the process of developing the contracts was not procedural, and meaningful engagement of healthcare providers did not take place. They also claimed that their input was not sought, and they were not privy to the contents of the contracts being circulated for execution.
The unions now want the contracting process halted with immediate effect until they receive copies of the draft contracts, peruse the contents, engage their members, and seek legal advice.
