Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has formalised the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) pending medical claims verification committee.
The committee mandate is to scrutinise and analyse the NHIF pending medical bills that have accumulated since July 1, 2022 and September 30, 2024, totaling Sh33 billion and make recommendations to the Ministry of Health on the settlement of the same.
Speaking following the event that took place on Monday at the Afya House, Nairobi, Duale expressed confidence in the committee.
“I registered my confidence in the committee and urged them to scrutinise the outstanding claims thoroughly and only recommend genuine claims for payment under a strict timeline of 90 days,” he said.
He noted the financial crisis experienced by some healthcare providers, noting the importance of the process being undertaken to guarantee not only value for money but also transparency and accountability in the purchase of healthcare services.
Duale emphasised the Ministry's plan to restore public trust, accountability and transparency in the financing of the healthcare system in the country.
This is as they uphold President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) anchored in Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
During the meeting, the committees' chairperson, James Masiro, assured of their commitment to delivering on the task ahead, acknowledging the sensitivity of the provided timelines.
He emphasised teamwork, appreciating the fact that the task ahead was sensitive and seeking to earn the stakeholders' trust by upholding integrity and effective delivery.
Present were Principal Secretaries Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards) and Harry Kimtai (Medical Services).
Others were DG Health Patrick Amoth as well as Social Health Authority Acting CEO Robert Ingasira and Chairperson Abdi Mohamed.
The committee is tasked with ensuring that claims are accurately verified and processed while also identifying any fraudulent or corrupt activities.
Masiro will work with Anne Wamae, serving as vice-chairperson.
Members of the committee are Edward Kiplimo Bitok, Meshack Matengo, Meboh Atieno Awour, Tom Nyakaba, Catherine Karori Bosire, Paul Wafula, Catherine Mungania, James Oundo, Jackline Mukami Njiru, Judith Awinja and David Dawe.
The committee will also be supported by a secretariat headed by Peter Kitheka, along with several other staff members, including Shawn Mogaka, Consolata Ogot, Emmanuel Ayodi Lusigi, Halima Yussuf and Wilbert Kurgat.
The committee will serve for a period of three months, starting from the date of the Gazette notice - March 28, 2025.
