Patients from KNH Storm Health CS Deborah Barasa’s media briefing at Afya House protesting about the failure of the SHA system.
“Every time they tell us the system is down,” agitated KNH patients storm Ministry of Health offices to lament SHA failures.
The situation regarding patients from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) storming Afya House in Nairobi, Kenya, is rooted in frustrations over the delays and operational issues with the Social Health Authority (SHA) system.
Protests at Afya House: Patients, frustrated with the SHA system’s inefficiencies, protested during a media briefing by Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa at Afya House.
The protesters highlighted the system failures that have left many patients struggling to access necessary medical services.
The SHA, intended to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), has been facing significant challenges. Patients reported that the system is frequently down, leading to delays or denials of healthcare services.
This has caused particular hardship for those needing urgent or continuous care, like dialysis patients.
The protests have garnered attention on social media and in news outlets, with posts and videos shared widely, indicating public concern and frustration over the healthcare system’s transition. The narrative from these sources emphasises the chaos and disruption caused by the SHA’s rollout.
There hasn’t been an extensive official response directly addressing these protests in the provided context, but the incident occurred during a media briefing, suggesting that government officials are aware of the public’s dissatisfaction.
The SHA was introduced to streamline healthcare funding and access in Kenya, aiming for universal health coverage.
However, its implementation has been marred by technical issues, insufficient public participation, and confusion over transitions from NHIF to SHA.
The situation underscores a broader challenge in Kenya’s healthcare system transformation, where, despite intentions to improve access and quality, the practical execution has led to significant disruptions for patients, particularly those from major facilities like KNH.
This event is part of a larger narrative of systemic change, public expectation, and the complexities of implementing large-scale health policy reforms.
“SHA is not working, we are tired” Patients storm Health CS Deborah Barasa’s press briefing; say hundreds are stranded at KNH over SHA system hitches. pic.twitter.com/mdbRhsdwqu
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) January 15, 2025