Healthcare workers across the country, led by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), are on the brink of industrial action if the government does not suspend the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA). The union has raised alarm over what it terms as a flawed and unfair system that not only reduces the quality of healthcare but also places an undue financial burden on workers.
The SHA was introduced with the aim of streamlining healthcare services, but it has since faced criticism from various quarters, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. Here are the key issues raised by the healthcare workers:
- Higher Deductions
Doctors have complained that the SHA scheme has significantly increased the amount deducted from workers’ salaries. Initially, workers were promised affordable healthcare coverage, but the new scheme deducts more from salaries than the previous insurance models like NHIF. The KMPDU estimates that workers are now contributing nearly double the amount without a corresponding improvement in services. Many workers argue that they are already struggling under the current economic conditions, and these additional deductions are making their financial situation worse.
- Reduced Benefits and Access to Healthcare
Despite the higher contributions, doctors report that the benefits provided under SHA have been drastically reduced. The new scheme has limited the coverage of essential services, meaning that many workers are now required to pay out-of-pocket for procedures that were previously covered. Medical professionals are also finding it difficult to refer patients to specialists or advanced treatment centers, which has hampered the delivery of critical healthcare services.
- Poor Service Delivery
Another major issue is the inefficient service delivery under the SHA. Patients under the new scheme are experiencing longer wait times, and healthcare workers are grappling with understaffed and underfunded facilities. Doctors argue that this not only strains their working conditions but also endangers the health and well-being of patients, particularly those with chronic or severe medical conditions.
- Lack of Stakeholder Consultation
The KMPDU has also criticized the government for failing to consult key stakeholders during the development and rollout of the SHA. The union claims that despite multiple attempts to engage with the government, their concerns were ignored, resulting in a healthcare scheme that does not adequately serve medical professionals or the general public. The union’s Secretary-General, Dr. Davji Bhimji, emphasized that the doctors’ voices were sidelined, and the scheme was imposed on them without their input, leading to frustration and disillusionment within the healthcare sector.
- Threat of Industrial Action
In light of these challenges, the KMPDU has issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding that the SHA be suspended immediately and reviewed to address the concerns of healthcare workers. The union has warned that failure to act could lead to a nationwide strike, which would severely disrupt healthcare services. “We cannot continue to work under a system that is neither fair to the workers nor beneficial to the patients,” Dr. Bhimji stated. “If the government does not listen, we will be forced to take industrial action.”
The union has given the government a two-week deadline to respond to their demands. As the clock ticks, patients and healthcare workers alike are anxiously waiting to see whether the government will take action to address the crisis in the healthcare system.
