SOLIDARITY STATEMENT WITH RUPHA KENYA ON THE PENDING BILLS CRISIS

The Association stands in full solidarity with the Rural Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) and all healthcare providers across the country who are facing immense financial distress due to the unresolved pending bills crisis occasioned by the poor transition and unsettled claims by the National Hospital Insurance Fund. This crisis has left numerous hospitals, clinics, and healthcare workers struggling to provide essential medical services, threatening the health and well-being of countless Kenyans.

For years, The National Healthcare Insurance failed to settle outstanding debts owed to private and public healthcare providers, suppliers, and contractors. This persistent failure has pushed many health facilities to the brink of collapse, with some unable to procure medical supplies, pay staff salaries, or maintain critical infrastructure. The consequences of this neglect are dire—patients are denied timely medical attention, healthcare workers face salary delays, and the overall quality of care is severely compromised.

Additionally, private hospitals under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme have announced their decision to suspend services due to unpaid arrears by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). The continued delay in settling these payments has made it unsustainable for hospitals to operate, further exacerbating the healthcare crisis.

Given the critical role played by this facilities, we recognize and commend RUPHA Kenya for its unwavering advocacy in demanding accountability and financial prudence from NHIF. The inability to clear pending bills not only undermines the healthcare sector. Urgent action is needed to ensure that county governments prioritize the settlement of outstanding bills, allowing healthcare facilities to function effectively and continue serving the public.

We call upon:

• The National Treasury to expedite the release of funds to enable them to clear outstanding payments owed to healthcare providers.
• NHIF and relevant authorities to urgently settle outstanding arrears to private hospitals to prevent service disruptions under the SHA scheme.
• All stakeholders, including Parliament and civil society organizations, to push for legislative and policy reforms that guarantee timely payments and accountability in public financial management.

Healthcare is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, and no institution should be left to struggle due to financial mismanagement and neglect. We stand united with RUPHA Kenya in advocating for immediate solutions to the pending bills crisis and urge all responsible authorities to act swiftly to prevent further deterioration of healthcare services.

We reaffirm our commitment to working alongside RUPHA Kenya, healthcare workers, and all affected stakeholders to demand the resolution of this crisis and ensure that no Kenyan is denied healthcare due to unpaid debts.

In Solidarity
Signed: Peter Muriuki, The National Chairperson
Association of Public Sector General Suppliers
21st February 2025