Protests as NHIF members are migrated to new health scheme

From left: Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri, Medical Services PS Harry Kimtai, Health CS Debra Mulongo Barasa, Public Health PS Mary Muthoni and former Social Health Authority Board Chairman Timothy Olweny during public participation on the benefit package and Tariffs at KICC, Nairobi on August 30, 2024. [File, Standard]

There were widespread complaints after members of the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) were migrated to the new Social Health Authority (SHA).

Those affected argued that they had been denied the opportunity to consent to the new scheme's terms.

On Wednesday, a day after the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) was launched, NHIF members began receiving text messages informing them that they had been automatically enrolled in the new plan.

"Your NHIF account has been migrated successfully to the Social Health Authority. To update your profile, dial *147#, visit sha.go.ke, or visit any authorised SHA agent," read the message.

"NHIF had very different terms of service compared to SHIF/SHA, and migrating people without their consent is a breach of data privacy and is illegal. This should be common sense," one Kenyan expressed their frustration on X.

"I haven't registered, yet I've received this SMS. They can as well finish the job and update my profile since I'm not boarding that ship," another individual commented after receiving the notification.

The Ministry of Health responded yesterday, stating that the ongoing enrolment of Kenyans in SHIF without their consent is legal under Legal Notice 147 of 2024, and urged members to verify and update their profiles.

When The Standard sought clarification on the legal grounds for state agencies shifting personal data without consent, especially concerning health and insurance, from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), the response was ambiguous.

A source from the ODPC said: "It is difficult for us as a government agency to comment on another government agency. We don't speak for each other."

In a statement yesterday, Health Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai said: "The Ministry has received inquiries regarding the transition of NHIF members to SHA. We wish to clarify that Legal Notice 147 of 2024 provides for the transition of all registered and verifiable NHIF members into SHA."

"This process ensures continuity of coverage, and members are encouraged to verify and update their profiles and add dependents through our official SHA channels at www.sha.go.ke," the statement read.

Kimtai emphasised that the transition process "ensures continuity of coverage" and encouraged members to verify and update their information through the official SHA website or authorised agents. He also acknowledged technical issues with the SHIF system, attributing them to high user demand and assured that technical teams were working round the clock to improve service delivery.

The new health insurance scheme requires all Kenyans to contribute 2.75 per cent of their income, with a minimum contribution of Sh300. While this aims to expand healthcare coverage, it has raised concerns about affordability and implementation.

As of yesterday, 12.5 million people had reportedly been registered in the new system, including 9.9 million who had been transferred from NHIF.

Meanwhile, major healthcare institutions across the country have begun implementing the new SHA system. Notably, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), and Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) are at the forefront of this transition.

MTRH has reported a successful implementation of the SHA system, ensuring uninterrupted services throughout the process. The hospital's management said it had appointed a dedicated committee to oversee public sensitisation and registration efforts, providing first-hand information to the public about the benefits of the new health fund.

As of 2 October 2024, MTRH had registered 526 patients and 400 members of the public under the new system. The hospital confirmed that all patients, including 200 inpatients and 326 specialised care patients, received care. The specialised care breakdown included 97 chemotherapy, 159 radiotherapy, and 70 dialysis patients.

MTRH officials said the registration process is smooth, and all members previously registered under NHIF continue to receive seamless care. The hospital encourages the public to enrol in SHA in large numbers.