Private hospitals resume SHA services after RUPHA lifts boycott

Kenyans seeking treatment in private hospitals under the Social Health Authority (SHA) can now continue accessing services after the Rural & Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) called off its boycott.

The decision follows President William Ruto’s directive on Wednesday, instructing SHA to begin clearing outstanding payments owed to health facilities by the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

In a statement released on Thursday, RUPHA Chairperson Brian Lishenga announced the immediate suspension of the boycott initially declared on February 20.

“The Executive Committee of RUPHA acknowledges the progress made following our collective action, which led to H.E. President William Samoei Ruto’s directive to begin settling NHIF arrears and establish a verification process for larger claims,” Lishenga stated.

While noting that the directive does not fully resolve all financial concerns, the association welcomed it as a significant first step in addressing the crisis facing healthcare providers. RUPHA emphasized that it will continue monitoring the government’s commitment to ensuring full implementation of the directive.

However, the association maintained its suspension of services under Medical Administrator Kenya Limited (MAKL), citing a lack of reconciliation on outstanding debts. It argued that without a clear record of what is owed, hospitals cannot accurately track payments.

RUPHA’s decision comes after President Ruto ordered the immediate settlement of all NHIF claims below KSh10 million, a move expected to benefit nearly 3,000 healthcare facilities, representing eighty-eight percent of those affected.

The association warned that should payments be delayed, it would reconsider its stance and potentially reinstate the boycott.

“If payments for facilities owed under KSh10 million are not made promptly, RUPHA will immediately reassess our position and reconvene members to deliberate on the next steps, including the possibility of reinstating service suspension,” it cautioned.

Additionally, RUPHA urged the government to ensure that hospitals owed more than KSh10 million receive at least KSh10 million upfront while awaiting verification. The association stressed that a structured budgetary allocation is necessary to maintain financial stability among private healthcare providers.

RUPHA further requested that private facilities receive a flat reimbursement of KSh10 million to ease financial strain and allow them to continue operations as verification processes take place.