The National Treasury is expected to release around Sh20 billion it owes the National Health Insurance Fund within this week.
This is after the Ministry of Health wrote to Treasury requesting that the release of the funds be backtracked to facilitate the insurer conduct its operations without financial constraints.
There have been reports that NHIF has been struggling to remain afloat due to the huge amount of money yet to be disbursed by the Treasury.
This has in turn affected operations in various hospitals across the country with Faith Based health facilities and those in rural areas bearing the brunt.
“Yes there are reports and I have been notified that we have issues at NHIF in terms of funds but remember NHIF does not operate on its own we rely on the exchequer we rely on the government to fund our programmes,” Health CS Susan Wafula said.
“I have written to my colleague at the Treasury to fast track but you know where the country is in terms of the fiscal space…I mean it is understandable but he has promised that within this week he should be able to release monies owed to NHIF.”
This comes barely two weeks after Faith-based health institutions asked for the release of Sh2 billion in claims accrued over time.
The institutions under the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) on said 126 accredited facilities have large pending claims for services already given.
“CHAK hospitals are at a high cash flow risk as they are unable to pay health workers, and suppliers and meet basic operational costs,” the association SG Samuel Mwenda said.
They appealed that the schemes be immediately resourced with cash flow and premium payments by the relevant parent ministries and commissions so that they can meet obligations.
The Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya on the other hand had issued an ultimatum to the insurers to release Sh5 billion of unpaid funds or else they transfer the new bills to patients which will be Sh1,000 per visit.
The facilities operating in rural areas threatened to begin charging for beneficiaries of Linda Mama, Edu Afya and police officers who rely on their services.
