Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has directed public hospitals across the county to provide emergency medical services regardless of whether the Social Health Authority (SHA) system is operational, following complaints that patients are being denied timely treatment during system outages.
Mung’aro issued the directive during a County Mashinani forum at Marafa grounds in Magarini Sub-County, where residents raised concerns over delays in accessing medical care due to difficulties in verifying their SHA coverage.
The governor ordered senior health officials to communicate the directive to all doctors and health practitioners, emphasising that emergency patients must receive treatment first, with claims submitted once the system is restored.
“I am directing my senior health officials to write to all doctors and health practitioners working in Kilifi hospitals that all emergency services should be offered whether SHA is working or not. We will claim later,” he said.
Residents accused some public hospitals of turning away critically ill patients when the digital insurance system goes offline, warning that the delays could cost lives.
Sharon Baya, a Magarini resident, said some patients had reportedly died while waiting for the SHA system to resume operations.
“We appreciate SHA, but many times patients go to hospitals and are told the systems are down. Some patients in critical conditions and in need of emergency services die while waiting for the system to work,” she said.
Baya urged the government to address the recurring outages, warning that continued delays in emergency care could lead to further loss of life.
Kilifi Chief Officer for Health Services David Mulewa acknowledged that system outages were affecting service delivery, explaining that the system was managed by the national government.
He said county health facilities had been instructed to provide emergency treatment and seek reimbursement after the system was restored.
Mulewa added that patients with chronic illnesses and those requiring emergency care could also receive assistance through the county’s chronic disease and emergencies fund.
He, however, urged residents to carry their national identity cards when seeking medical services.
The forum also addressed concerns over the welfare of Community Health Promoters (CHPs), with county officials announcing that they would begin receiving salaries through the county payroll.
County Secretary and Finance Executive Committee Member Phillip Charo said the administration had been working to formalise their employment, adding that November would mark the first month they would receive salaries like other county employees.
The County Mashinani forum was organised to provide residents with an opportunity to raise concerns about service delivery and other local issues.
