Nyeri Catholic Archbishop Antony Muheria has called on the government to urgently settle outstanding debts owed by the Special Hospital Arrangement (SHA), warning that patients continue to struggle despite being enrolled in the program.
Speaking in Nanyuki during the launch of the Sr. Irene Nyathya Golf Tournament—a fundraiser aimed at helping patients settle hospital bills—Archbishop Muheria said mission hospitals are under immense strain due to delayed payments from SHA.
“Even with SHA subscriptions, some people are still unable to access care because hospitals are not receiving the funds owed to them. This is putting mission hospitals in a very difficult position,” he said.
He urged the government to streamline medical insurance processes to ensure timely payments to hospitals. Archbishop Muheria also encouraged healthcare facilities to explore innovative ways to raise funds and support patients, noting that SHA is no longer a fully dependable source of funding.
The Archbishop’s warning comes amid growing concerns over the sustainability of mission hospitals, which play a critical role in providing healthcare services across the country, particularly in underserved areas.
