Public Health PS Mary Muthoni has warned health facilities for illegally charging patients for services that are free or covered by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
She called for transparency through facility charters and vowed inspections to protect patients from exploitation amid Kenya’s rollout of universal health coverage.
“Facilities that are co-charging, and especially on services that are free or services that are already paid for by SHA, must stop,” PS Muthoni said.
She emphasized that it is crucial for health institutions to be transparent about the services they offer to avoid confusion and exploitation.
She pointed out that many patients visit facilities only to be uninformed about what services are available or covered.
“I have seen patients sometimes go to a facility and the facility does not give information on what they are offering and what they are not offering,” she said.
“Sometimes you find a facility does not have lab services, then they register the person, and then they tell the person where he/she will end up.”
To address this issue, PS Muthoni called for the mandatory display of service charters in all healthcare facilities, from level two clinics to level six referral hospitals.
“It would be important that we have charters displayed in our facilities so that our patients or the citizens can know what exactly is being offered in facility X, Y, Z,” she said. “Members of the public have a right to know who is offering what.”
The PS acknowledged that while some facilities adhere to ethical standards, others have resorted to illicit co-charging, especially for services meant to be free under the SHA benefits.
“It has come to our attention that some facilities, because some are really good, but some people have decided to countercharge on SHA services,” she said.
“You go to the facility, probably vaccination is free. You find somebody in a facility is asking for 100 shillings. It is wrong.”
She warned that the government will take action against such practices. “Such facilities should be put on notice that we will send people to inspect so that we know who is cheating the members of the public,” she declared.
She issued a heartfelt plea, “Please do not steal from the ill. Do not steal from the sick.”
The PS also affirmed the government’s commitment to expanding universal health coverage and ensuring that all Kenyans have access to affordable and quality healthcare.
“His Excellency, the President and the Government of Kenya, is already rolling out the robust universal health coverage,” she noted.
The message comes at a critical time as the Social Health Authority continues to streamline benefit delivery under the Bima Bora and Afya Nyumbani schemes.
Transparency and accountability in health service delivery remain key priorities to prevent abuse and improve public trust in the health system.
