CISA
NYERI, FEBRUARY 25, 2025 (CISA)– Most Rev Anthony Muheria, the archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri has issued an urgent appeal to the government to disburse funds owed to hospitals under the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and its successor, the Social Health Authority (SHA), warning that delayed reimbursements have severely impacted healthcare services in faith-based hospitals.
Speaking at Consolata Mathari Hospital on February 21, 2025, during the opening of a newly refurbished outpatient department and maternity theater, Archbishop Muheria expressed deep concern over the backlog of payments that have crippled healthcare operations.
“Despite our tremendous efforts to improve healthcare service delivery, we continue to face constraints due to unpaid reimbursements from NHIF and SHA,” he said.
The archbishop revealed that Consolata Mathari Hospital alone is owed Ksh 250 million in unpaid reimbursements, a debt that has accumulated over four years. He further disclosed that Catholic faith-based hospitals nationwide are collectively owed approximately Ksh 2.5 billion, significantly hampering their ability to provide quality healthcare.
“A staggering debt of Ksh 250 million is enough to cripple any institution, yet despite this immense financial strain, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to providing essential healthcare services,” he stated, adding “Consolata Mathari Hospital alone is burdened with outstanding dues exceeding Ksh 250 million, a situation that reflects a broader crisis faced by faith-based healthcare institutions across the country. Collectively, these institutions are owed an estimated Ksh 2.5 billion, placing an enormous strain on their ability to sustain operations and continue serving communities in need.”
Archbishop Muheria criticized the lack of government support for faith-based hospitals, citing the discontinuation of government secondment of doctors and nurses as a major challenge. He noted that these hospitals have traditionally played a crucial role in providing medical services, yet their operational capacity is increasingly strained.
He also took issue with policies that limit faith-based hospitals’ ability to procure medicine from affordable suppliers such as the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS). According to Muheria, forcing these hospitals to source medicines from government-approved suppliers has led to shortages and compromised quality.
“Previously, the government seconded doctors and nurses to faith-based hospitals. Now, we receive no such support. In addition, our key pharmaceutical suppliers are facing restrictions, further straining our ability to provide affordable and quality healthcare. We should not be constrained to go to government suppliers that do not deliver medicine on time or at the quality we require,” he said.
Calling on the government to act swiftly, the archbishop urged officials to move beyond rhetoric and address the financial crisis afflicting hospitals.
“It is not enough to keep giving excuses. We need payments. We need reimbursements. The system must work efficiently for the patient and the hospital,” he emphasized.
Muheria also warned that continued delays in payments could push more hospitals to the brink, with some private institutions already threatening to cease services.
Beyond healthcare, he highlighted growing political and economic instability in Kenya and criticized the government’s excessive focus on self-promotion. He coined the term “govotisement” to describe what he perceives as an obsession with advertising government projects rather than implementing meaningful change.
“Government is not an advertising agency; it is an agency of action. We need to stop the noise, accusations, and unnecessary excuses and start working together to solve the real issues affecting Kenyans,” he said.
Despite the challenges, the archbishop reaffirmed the commitment of faith-based hospitals to continue serving communities, urging the government to resolve the crisis before it further impacts vulnerable populations.
“On our part, we will continue serving, but this is a serious issue affecting poor and sick Kenyans. We cannot allow people to struggle in their illnesses because of bureaucratic inefficiencies,” he added.
