The Ministry of Health has officially launched a committee set up to verify the debts owed to the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), in the process of addressing the debts.
The launching ceremony was chaired by the Cbinet Secretary for health and the main objective of the committee is to verify the payments that NHIF had not made to various health facilities by the time of the cancellation of the total of 33 billion.
The committee under the chairmanship of James Masiero Ojee, with Dr. Anne Wamai as the deputy chairman is tasked with assessing the reality of the debts.
The work of the committee will also entail ensuring transparency, accountability and value for money in the country’s health system.
Members will be required to identify fraudulent, false and exaggerated claims, recommend changes and ways to address the debts.
Health CS Aden Duale stressed that the government has already paid debts that were below 10 million shillings, following the directives of President William Ruto.
Hospitals that had contracts with NHIF and whose debts were less than 10 million shillings were 91 percent of all hospitals affiliated with NHIF.
Hospitals claiming payments of more than 10 million shillings must undergo a verification program that is expected to be completed within 90 days.
Issues that will be addressed include hospitals that submitted payment requests without a valid contract, overpayments, claims for surgery that was not performed and repeated claims to ensure that only legitimate claims are paid.
Duale expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to restore public confidence and strengthen integrity in the country’s health system.
He urged all stakeholders to support the program.
