Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha is pleading with hospitals not to turn away patients with NHIF as the country prepares to transition to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
CS Nakhumicha who appeared before Senators on Wednesday morning said the debt owed to various health facilities will be paid once the National Treasury releases the funds.
"I want to assure facilities that there is no cause and they do not need to disrupt services. Once they have provided services, their claims have been verified and reconciled, they are going to be paid," Nakhumicha said.
This comes amid reports that patients with NHIF cards have been denied services following the alleged failure by the government to pay at least Sh6 billion in pending bills.
According to CS Nakhumicha, the National Treasury is this week expected to release Sh8.5 billion to be used for settling of the money owed to hospital facilities.
"I also want to confirm that we have had a delay of the exchequer which has given rise to the many huge bills being experienced across the country. We have received confirmation from the Treasury that the funds will be released this week," the CS assured Senators.
