Parliament team warns of health disruptions after Bill withdrawal

A parliamentary health committee has warned of potential stagnation of ongoing and planned development projects in the Ministry of Health.

The fears arise in the wake of the much-anticipated rollout of health benefits under the Social Health Authority (SHA), whose fate hangs in the balance following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024.

The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Health says the country is in a difficult situation following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, and that the government has no option but to realign to this reality.

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The Bill had, for the first time, allocated approximately Sh6 billion to finance two critical funds: The Primary Healthcare Fund and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund.

Additionally, it set aside funds for indigent and vulnerable individuals under the Social Health Authority.

However, the government has postponed the scaling up of SHA and the implementation of the Social Health Insurance Act 2023, the Primary Health Care Act 2023, and the Digital Health Act 2023.

These three Acts, which have been enacted to establish the Primary Health Care Fund and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund, will be delayed until October 2024.

Immediate former Health Cabinet Secretary, Susan Nakhumicha, had stated that the ministry is reworking its plans to align with the new reality.

She recommended that the current National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) contributions and benefits apply until the transition to SHA is complete.

National Assembly Departmental Health Committee Chairperson, Robert Pukose, has warned that the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, will have dire ramifications on the country’s progress and development agenda. The Endebes MP shared his sentiments during the committee’s consideration of the first supplementary estimates No.1 for the financial year 2024/2025 for the Ministry of Health, its state departments, and its agencies.

Dr Pukose argued that while the rejection and subsequent withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 was seen as a punishment to members of the National Assembly and President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration, it critically impacts the core development agenda of the country.

“This issue is not just affecting the president and the members of parliament who voted ‘yes’; it’s affecting everyone, including you and me. Without that funding, you will not be able to deliver the services you are supposed to deliver,” said the MP.

The committee gave the sentiments after two health PSs, Harry Kimtai and Mary Muthoni, pleaded with parliament to allocate Sh100 million in supplementary budget for sensitisation of SHA.

On his part, Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP, Patrick Munene, concurred saying that while President Ruto withdrew the Bill following weeks of violent protests, it has become clear that the issue transcends parliament and its members.

“It was not about us. Now, we are saying it’s doctors who will not be paid, it’s contractors who will not be compensated for their work, and its researchers who, in the middle of their projects, are being told there are no finance 

Many people narrowed their focus to punishing MPs and the president because of the Finance Bill 2024,” said Munene, who serves as the vice-chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Health.