Patients with Non-Communicable Diseases suffers most during SHA,SHIF roll out, Lobby group says

As most patients continue to suffer as the government struggles with making SHA and SHIF, it has been revealed that patients with non-communicable diseases have suffered the most during the rollout in several counties.

According to a Survey conducted by the Caucus of Patient-led organizations of non-communicable disease, the rollout left many patients struggling to access timely and affordable medical care.

The survey was done between October 24 and October 25 and included responses from public, private, and mission Hospitals in Nairobi, Kiambu, Meru, and Bomet, and highlighted systematic issues that have left many NCD patients in pain.

The Survey further highlighted access delays and systematic inefficiencies, where both Kenyatta National Hospital and Kenyatta University Referral Hospital reported delays that saw patients waiting for hours to access critical medical services.

Another challenge witnessed that was encountered according to the Survey was limited SHA coverage in private hospitals, which saw several patients struggling to access medical facilities and other hospitals, the SHA left patients ineligible, especially those with serious conditions like cancer, hence exposing them to suffering.

According to Mr.Evans, M. Njau, the Chair of the Caucus of Patient-Led organizations of NCDs, the survey reveals a critical gap that the government needs to fill for patients to resume their normal treatments.

” The Survey Findings reveal the critical gap in SHAs’ ability to serve Kenyan patients effectively, especially those facing chronic and complex conditions like Cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease,” he said.

He added that there was a need for SHA to prioritize transparency and accountability.

” The SHA rollout must prioritize transparency, access to specialized care, and patient inclusion to fulfill the promise of universal health coverage in Kenya. We urge the Ministry of Health and SHA leaders to engage with patients’ voices and take swift, corrective action to address these issues,” he said.

According to Njau, the movement is committed to advocating for health issues for all Kenyans.

The movement has also recommended to the government what needs to be done for the welfare of the patients and the smooth operation of the rollout