Medical Association rejects NHIF caretaker committee

By Luke Anami

The caretaker committee constituted by the Government to oversee the operations of the National Hospital Insurance Fund ( NHIF) is in office illegally, an association of doctors has said.

Kenya Medical Association said the appointment of a caretaker committee contravened both the NHIF Act section 4 and State Corporations Act on disbandment of a board.

Moreover, decisions or actions taken by this committee, including suspension of Clinixs and Meridian, could be declared null and void if challenged in a court of law.

“The association is concerned that all members of the recently formed caretaker committee come from Government and former members of the NHIF board, with none from the medical and insurance sectors. The current composition of the caretaker committee is inconsistent with the legal provisions, that any act they may carry could in future be deemed null and void should it be taken before a court of law,” Dr Elly Nyaim, National chairman KMA told The Standard.

“Section 4 of the NHIF Act lays out the basis for constituting a board and this committee does not fully adhere to this requirement. Further, the State Corporations Act sets out the criteria to be used when disbanding and forming a new board.”

Prime Minister Raila Odinga appointed a Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Medical Services A A Adan to act as the Managing Director of the health scheme. He has also picked a caretaker committee to handle the affairs of the fund on interim basis in May following allegations of a scandal at the Fund.

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