“SHA is not working, we are tired,” patients and their families expressed their frustration as they stormed Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa’s press briefing, with others camping outside the Ministry of Health’s office in protest over the persistent issues with the State Health Insurance (SHA) system.
Patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) claimed that they were stranded due to system malfunctions, leaving many unable to access the medical services they desperately need.
The patients, visibly frustrated, expressed their heartbreak at the government’s failure to improve the health system, despite promises made in the past.
They criticized the authorities for not addressing the system’s inefficiencies, which have caused considerable distress for those in need of urgent medical care.
A parent accompanying her child, who had been admitted at KNH, shared her experience: “Some patients who were referred from places like Mombasa and Kibwezi left without receiving treatment because the SHA system requires approval before anything can be done.
This is just inhumane. We’ve been waiting for days for a resolution.”
The parent revealed that since last Wednesday, the SHA system had been down, creating a backlog of patients unable to pay for treatment, resulting in many being stranded.
This glitch has severely disrupted healthcare delivery for those relying on the insurance system, leaving them uncertain about their ability to access the care they need.
One patient, Diana, who underwent a cesarean section two weeks ago, also spoke out against the ongoing issues with the SHA system.
“I’m really heartbroken because I’m not getting the treatment I need. I’ve been to SHA health office, but no one has been able to help.
It’s unbelievable that the system accepts payments but fails to function when it comes to settling hospital bills and treatments.
We’ve been going around in circles, and the system is just down when we need it most,” she said.
As frustration builds among patients, many are calling for immediate intervention from the government to resolve the system’s issues.
They are demanding that those in charge take swift action so that stranded patients can receive the necessary treatment without further delay.
“This is affecting so many people. We need the person in charge to intervene so we can get the help we deserve,” one of the protestors said.
The protest and the growing dissatisfaction with the SHA system come as the health sector grapples with persistent operational challenges.
Patients who rely on the SHA system for medical coverage are urging the government to take responsibility and fix the infrastructure as soon as possible to ensure that those in urgent need of healthcare can access it without additional hurdles.
The situation at KNH has raised questions about the overall efficiency and reliability of the SHA system, especially as the country faces increased demands on its healthcare infrastructure.
The ongoing frustration has sparked a public outcry, with many urging the government to prioritize the resolution of these technical issues and address the systemic failures that continue to impact the quality of care.
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