President William Ruto has issued a stern warning to public hospitals charging patients for outpatient services, which is a direct contradiction of the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative.

The directive comes amid growing public concern and reports of facilities, particularly dispensaries and Level 4 hospitals, demanding out-of-pocket payments despite the UHC program being in effect.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto emphasized that the government has already allocated significant funds to support the free primary healthcare agenda.

“We have provided the necessary funds,” Ruto stated, referencing a Ksh13 billion allocation for primary healthcare and an additional Ksh8 billion for emergency services. “Action will be taken against anyone who charges for services that should be free.”

The President’s warning aims to reinforce the government’s commitment to the new Social Health Authority (SHA), which has replaced the corruption-plagued National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

SHA, which has been operational for over ten months, has so far enrolled 25 million Kenyans. The transition, however, has not been without its challenges.

The new Social Health Insurance Act faced legal hurdles, with a High Court briefly halting its implementation before a three-judge bench lifted the ban, allowing the rollout to proceed.

In a move to enhance efficiency and curb fraud within the system, the Ministry of Health, under Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, is transitioning from a One-Time Password (OTP) system for authorizing services to a new biometric health ID.

This digital shift, facilitated by the Practice 360 mobile application, is already in place at all Level 4, 5, and 6 facilities, signaling a major step towards a more secure and transparent healthcare system.

Citizens are being urged to report any instances of hospitals illegally charging for services, empowering the public to be a part of the solution in achieving equitable and affordable healthcare for all.