NHIF suspends contracts with six hospitals following NTV exposé
The National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) has suspended its contracts with six hospitals for a period of 90 days following an NTV exposé revealing medical fraud.
The six hospitals in include Afya Bora Hospital, Afya Bora Hospital Annex, Jekim Hospital Nkubu Ltd, Jekim Medical Centre, Joy Nursing and Maternity Eastleigh and St. Peter’s Orthopaedics and Surgical Specialty.
“The Board vehemently condemns all forms of malpractice and fraudulent activities including those perpetrated by NHIF and healthcare providers…NHIF has already notified members who were receiving outpatient services at these facilities to select alternative healthcare providers from the list of NHIF contracted facilities,” read a statement from NHIF acting Chief Executive Officer Samson Kuhora.
This comes after Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha temporarily suspended NHIF managers in the affected areas mentioned in the exposé by NTV pending investigations.
NTV exposed medical fraud in various hospitals in Nairobi and Meru counties on Sunday, 18 June.
It was unearthed how men and women disguised as healthcare provides sold hope to the villagers, promising to rescue them from arthritis complications.
They used the name of the National Health Insurance Fund to sway unsuspecting Kenyans.
NHIF will also re-advertise vacant positions of CEO and six directors on 27 June, 2023 following a reconstitution of the Board in March 2023.
“During the recruitment process, the Board determined that the outcomes would not align with their vision of transformative leadership for the Fund. Consequently, the Board unanimously resolved to terminate the ongoing recruitment and will initiate a fresh process,” read the statement.