Teachers, Police Officers To Be Blocked From Treatment In Private Hospitals

The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) has announced that starting Monday, February 24, certain hospitals will no longer provide treatment to individuals using insurance supported by government bodies such as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), including all teachers and police officers.

All hospitals under RUPHA announced that they would deny treatment to civil servants until their debt is cleared. The association explained that the move was prompted by the insurer's failure to pay for services rendered in the last year. 

“We will stop providing medical services to police and teachers using the government insurance from Monday,” announced Rev Joseph Kariuki, Deputy Chairperson, RUPHA.

At the same time, the umbrella body threatened to withdraw treatment for patients using SHA, with RUPHA stating that this was the last straw in a bid to make the government improve the services being offered under SHA.

BREAKING:Rural Urban Private Hospitals Association (@RuphaKenya )declares indefinite suspension of SHA services beging Monday 24th due to unpaid NHIF arrears and unworkale outpatient Reimbursent model.They say SHA glitches are persistent,they have lost personelle due to arrears. pic.twitter.com/rKF12PDahB — Eunice Omollo (@omollo_eunice) February 20, 2025

"No services to teachers, police, and SHA patients from Monday until the government honours our demands," added Kariuki.

RUPHA is urging the government to settle all outstanding bills accrued under the old National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) since 2017.

By December of last year, the government owed private hospitals around Ksh29 billion. RUPHA insists that despite assurances from the government, it will not continue providing services without a clear payment plan.

"Why is it that the Treasury does not value the lives of Kenyans," the RUPHA chairperson asked, adding, "The body says its members have had their hospitals auctioned, lost employees, and, as a result, some specialists have refused to offer services. Doctors are now saying they will not treat patients without paying cash."

Hospitals are also urging the government to review the Global Budget Capitation system used for outpatient care. This payment model allocates a fixed amount to healthcare providers to cover necessary services for a specific population over a set period.

The system is designed to control costs, improve resource efficiency, and enhance care quality by encouraging preventive care and better management of chronic conditions.

However, medics argue that the current capitation rate of Ksh900—equivalent to about Ksh75 per person per month—is inadequate.

RUPHA is calling for a revision of this capitation. Since its launch in October last year, SHA has faced numerous challenges, with the government acknowledging the issues and promising a comprehensive review.