Health Cabinet Secretary, Susan Nakhumicha, has taken decisive action by suspending National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) branch managers who have been implicated in defrauding Kenyans.
This move comes after an exposé by NTV exposed fraudulent individuals pretending to be healthcare providers affiliated with NHIF.
The investigation uncovered their deceptive practices, particularly targeting residents in Meru and Nairobi, where they made false promises to provide relief from the debilitating effects of arthritis.
In response, Nakhumicha has instructed the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, as well as the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, to independently investigate the matter. Their mandate is to uncover any instances of misconduct or irregularities and identify those responsible.
“The Ministry of Health is committed to upholding transparency and accountability within the healthcare sector, and this proactive step demonstrates that commitment,” stated Nakhumicha.
The CS has also directed the NHIF board to initiate an investigation into the reported fraudulent activities and submit a comprehensive report by Wednesday.
In light of these alarming revelations, Nakhumicha announced that a comprehensive lifestyle audit would be conducted on all NHIF staff members. The purpose of this audit is to ensure that each staff member can account for their wealth and possessions in line with their earnings.
Nakhumicha has also alerted the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to the investigation, and they will be conducting a thorough inquiry into this shocking fraud scheme.
Meanwhile, in the interest of patient safety and uninterrupted care, the affected hospitals in Meru and Nairobi have been instructed to transfer their patients to alternative healthcare facilities.
