SHA Suspends 45 Health Facilities Over Fraud Concerns

Social Health Authority Headquarters in Nairobi /HANDOUT

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has suspended 45 health facilities across the country over allegations of fraudulent practices, marking the latest crackdown on graft within Kenya’s healthcare sector.

The suspension was formally communicated through a special issue of the Kenya Gazette dated August 26th, issued under Section 48(6) of the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.

The gazette directed that the affected facilities will not be entitled to any benefit from the Social Health Authority during the period of their suspension.

“The Social Health Authority manages the contributions of hardworking Kenyans. These funds are meant to guarantee quality, affordable and dignified healthcare for all. Not to line the pockets of fraudsters,” the gazette stated.

Health cabinet secretary Aden Duale said the action was taken in accordance with the law to safeguard public resources.

“This decisive action underscores our uncompromising stance against fraud in the healthcare sector,” Duale said.

A file image of Health CS, Aden Duale/HANDOUT

The suspended facilities include hospitals, clinics and nursing homes spread across Mandera, Wajir, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Bungoma, Kisii, Turkana, Meru, Nairobi, Garissa, Migori, Tana River and Uasin Gishu counties.

Among them are Alaba Healthcare Limited in Kisumu, Nightingale Hospital in Garissa, Gopima Medical Centre in Kisii and Ngecha Medical Care Centre in Nairobi.

Duale explained that the suspensions were necessary to protect contributors and restore confidence in the health financing system.

“We will not tolerate any individual or institution attempting to exploit or siphon what belongs to the people,” Duale said.

Health CS, intensified scrutiny of healthcare facilities following longstanding concerns about fraudulent billing, ghost patients and inflated claims that marred the operations of the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Duale said that SHA has put in place stronger monitoring systems to detect malpractice before it drains public resources.

“The government remains firm and unyielding in protecting the integrity of the health system,” Duale emphasized.

Duale further urged Kenyans to seek services only from accredited and compliant facilities as investigations continue into the suspended institutions.