New NHIF list of contracted hospitals stokes controversy

The National Hospital Insurance Fund headquarters in Nairobi. NHIF has published a list of over 1,000 public, private and faith-based health service providers spread around the country which private hospitals have disowned saying it is unrepresentative. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The national health insurer published a list of over 1,000 public, private and faith-based health service providers spread around the country in the Nation saying it had contracted them to provide outpatient treatment to its members.
• “In Nairobi there is no private hospital in the list. In Kisii there are two and also only two in Kisumu,” Dr Nyaumah said.

By BRIAN NGUGI
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Private hospitals have disowned a list of service providers that the National Hospital Insurance Fund published in the dailies, saying it is “unrepresentative”.

The national health insurer published a list of over 1,000 public, private and faith-based health service providers spread around the country in the Nation saying it had contracted them to provide outpatient treatment to its members.

The State-run fund said the hospitals, which are “spread across all counties, would provide comprehensive outpatient benefits to members under the national scheme.”

The Chairman of Kenya Association of Private Hospitals, Dr John Nyaumah, however, faulted the deal.

“The list consists of only government hospitals and clinics. It lacks the representation of private hospitals which constitute 50 per cent of the country’s healthcare infrastructure,” Dr Nyaumah told the Nation.

Dr Nyaumah singled out Nairobi, Uasin Gishu and Kisumu counties as the regions where private hospitals were most affected by the alleged lock out.

“In Nairobi there is no private hospital in the list. In Kisii there are two and also only two in Kisumu,” Dr Nyaumah said.

NHIF REJOINDER

However in a quick rejoinder, NHIF Chairman Mohamud Ali said the list constitutes health centres that applied to be enlisted under the State-run scheme.

“It is for those who have signed up. Those others wishing to be considered are free to sign up,” Mr Ali added.

Private hospitals have been at loggerheads with the NHIF since July in what has seen them turn away patients seeking outpatient treatment under the State cover saying the Sh1,200 capitation per year is inadequate.

NHIF rolled out the new outpatient cover on July 1 after years of offering only inpatient insurance.