The government has clarified that the Social Health Authority (SHA) has no contract with any mobile service provider for digitizing Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) software.
In a statement issued on Friday, November 22, 2024, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said there is no agreement between SHA and any mobile network operator for healthcare digitization.
He emphasized that the current arrangement stems from a pre-existing contract inherited by SHA from the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
According to Mwaura, the inherited system, called HICS, was the responsibility of NHIF before SHA took over.
“There is no contract between SHA and any service provider on digitization of Universal Healthcare Software. The existing contract that SHA inherited was between the defunct NHIF and the service providers of the system they were using called HICS,” Mwaura stated.
He further clarified that the ongoing digitization efforts are part of a larger government initiative involving various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and private firms such as Safaricom PLC, Apiero LTD, and Konvergenz Network Solutions.
Digitization contract
Mwaura elaborated on the broader scope of the digitization program, stating that SHA plays a role within a comprehensive strategy that integrates regulators like the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), and the Nursing Council, alongside healthcare providers, hospitals, and workers.
“The digitization contract being alluded to is between the Ministry of Health and Safaricom PLC, Apiero LTD, and Konvergenz Network Solutions. SHA is part of the bigger health digitization agenda that involves KEMSA, Regulators – KMPDC, PPB, Nursing Council, etc.) (17 regulators), healthcare providers (hospitals and health care workers), devices, connectivity, power backup, licenses, etc.,” the spokesperson said.
Mwaura also dismissed claims linking SHA to shady dealings, suggesting that the authority might be targeted by individuals who previously benefited from malpractice under the NHIF.
Earlier, SHA’s Board Chair, Abdi Mohammed, had issued a similar clarification. He affirmed that SHA has no direct dealings with any service provider for UHC software digitization.
Mohammed reiterated that the current digitization contracts involve the Ministry of Health and the private companies tasked with implementing the program.
“The digitisation contract being alluded to is between the Ministry of Health and Safaricom PLC and Apiero LTD and Konvergenz Network Solutions,” he stated.