The Ministry of Public Service has dismissed recent reports suggesting that civil servants will lose access to healthcare services under the Social Health Authority’s insurance program.
Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku described these reports as “grossly inaccurate” and warned that they risk causing unnecessary alarm among public servants and their families.
In a statement released on Saturday, the ministry assured civil servants that they will continue to receive medical care at all public hospitals, as well as accredited and contracted private and faith-based facilities nationwide.
“No civil servant or eligible dependent is required to pay cash at any contracted healthcare facility,” CS Ruku emphasised.
He reaffirmed that access to quality and seamless healthcare services remains guaranteed as it has been over the years.
The ministry clarified that only hospitals currently suspended due to investigations into medical malpractice or failure to comply with Social Health Authority contracts are barred from providing medical services to all Kenyans.
These suspensions are part of ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity and quality of healthcare provision under the insurance program.
CS Ruku reassured civil servants and their dependents that their healthcare services remain uninterrupted and that their welfare is fully safeguarded.
The statement aimed to calm fears and provide clarity amid misinformation circulating on the issue.
The government’s firm stance follows recent suspensions of 40 health facilities suspected of engaging in fraud, a move Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said is crucial in protecting the system.
“Any doctor or health official involved in defrauding SHA will be held responsible,” Duale warned, adding that those implicated face investigations and possible license cancellations.
"We have suspended 40 health facilities found to be defrauding the SHA. These suspensions take effect immediately. During the investigation period, these facilities will not receive any benefits from SHA, and we will surcharge them for the money lost," Duale said.
The CS also identified professionals who engaged in the malpractices and have since removed their data from the SHA system pending the outcome of the investigations.
"Any doctor or health official involved in defrauding SHA will be held responsible. We will hand over all the hospitals and the 12 health officials to the DCI for further investigations. Additionally, we have ordered the relevant regulatory bodies to cancel their licences."
