Kenyatta University Teaching Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH) management has refuted claims that patients were turned away due to the ongoing social health insurance crisis. Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Dagane also dismissed reports suggesting that patients were being required to pay cash for medical services, asserting that the hospital has resolved the initial challenges arising from the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Dagane acknowledged that the facility experienced difficulties on Tuesday during the transition to the SHIF but emphasized that these issues have now been resolved and services are operating normally.
Patients had voiced concerns about their inability to access treatment under the new Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme, with some claiming they were asked to make cash payments instead of using their insurance coverage.
“We had some challenges on the first day of the rollout, but that has been overcome. There has been a lot of misinformation that patients were turned away or asked to pay cash. We want to forestall those rumors,” Dagane stated.
He affirmed that the hospital is managing the shift from NHIF to SHIF effectively, adding that all patients seeking care at the facility are being accommodated, regardless of their insurance status.
“The hospital has treated all patients well, and no patient has been turned away or asked to pay for services in cash. We have actually sensitized all departments that no patient should be turned away,” Dagane emphasized.
The CEO made these comments on Thursday during an event where the hospital hosted officials from the Safaricom Foundation, led by Chairman Joseph Ogutu, who donated items to new mothers in the maternity wing.
Dagane, accompanied by KUTRRH Board Chairperson Prof. Olive Mugenda, also announced the initiation of a partnership with Safaricom focusing on oncology care, telemedicine, and ICT.
“We have held intensive discussions on areas of collaboration with Safaricom Foundation, and a bilateral committee has been formed to steer the partnership. Safaricom is innovative and supportive in technology, and we will be partnering in areas of oncology as well as telemedicine,” he said.
Ogutu stated that Safaricom has been actively supporting and encouraging new and expectant mothers to seek antenatal services for safe deliveries. “We are taking this initiative to health facilities in all counties and across the country,” Ogutu said.
Earlier, KUTRRH released a statement confirming that they have successfully begun implementing the Social Health Authority (SHA) as a key initiative by the Ministry of Health, aimed at reducing healthcare costs and promoting universal health coverage nationwide.
The statement highlighted that the hospital management has reviewed the SHA implementation across all service areas, assisting patients with registration and ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.
“The Hospital has already recorded significant benefits under SHA, particularly in critical departments such as Endoscopy, Renal, and Chemotherapy,” the statement read in part.
It further noted that upon the rollout of SHA, 61 chemotherapy patients, 39 dialysis patients, and 10 patients in the Endoscopy unit, among others, received care fully covered by SHA, with their bills paid through the newly launched scheme.
“KUTRRH has established Help Desks at all Customer Care Units across the hospital to guide patients on the SHA registration process. These efforts are aimed at ensuring a seamless experience for all our clients as we strive to improve access to affordable healthcare,” the statement concluded.
