Patients seeking health services at facilities under the Rural-Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) were turned away Thursday due to the suspension of services by over 600 facilities, citing unpaid claims.
A spot check in the Western region revealed that most private and faith-based hospitals were not offering services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) cover.
Robert Masinde, a resident of Kakamega County, was forced to look for a private doctor after being turned away from a private hospital. "I've been told SHA is not operational, and I've had to look for a private doctor.
I urge the government to resolve all issues surrounding SHA, including clearing the arrears of the defunct NHIF, so that Kenyans can access medical services.