MPs protest Sh8bn Social Health Insurance ICT system set to replace NHIF
Source: Capital FM Kenya
Author: Wangechi Purity
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 2 - Legislators have rejected the Sh8 billion Social Health Insurance (SHA) ICT system set to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The lawmakers led by National Assembly Health Committee Chair Robert Pukose stated that SHA procured an ICT system without following proper procurement procedures and had begun registering Kenyans into the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
During a meeting involving the National Assembly's Committee on Health, the Social Health Authority (SHA) Board, and the outgoing National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) Board, the Members of Parliament said SHA had already procured an ICT system upgrade through single sourcing, under the guise of special procurement.
They claimed that the contract had been awarded to an anonymous IT firm at an undisclosed cost in order to register Kenyans for the new health scheme.
"We must ensure that every piece of information entering this system is properly procured with appropriate terms.Now you have somebody whom you don't have a contract with. What assurance do we have that the information they are collecting from clients is safe and secure?" Pukose questioned.
Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament Anthony Kibagendi expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the system employed by SHA to enroll Kenyans in the new health scheme.
"The system used by SHA to register Kenyans to the new health scheme is shrouded in ambiguity. We don't know the name of the IT firm being used, the associated costs, and the extent of data already amassed. At face value, this appears to be a breeding ground for corruption," he said.
The committee members expressed regret that while registration of Kenyans started early last month, the process was shrouded in secrecy and in total violation of the Data Protection Act.
However, Medical Services Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai defended the ministry's actions, stating that they had followed all procedures outlined in the Data Protection Act.
Nyeri Town MP Dancun Mathenge also queried whether SHA had sought approval of the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) before opting for special procurement.
Section 47 of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) requires that digitization and processes be done using appropriate, reliable, secure, interoperable, verifiable, and responsive technology through an information system.
The processes and services include registration of members, member identification, contributions to the Fund, empanelment of facilities, execution of contracts, member identification, notification and preauthorization, claims management, and settlement of claims.
It further states that every Kenyan shall be uniquely identified for purposes of the provision of health services, and the digitization of processes and services shall conform to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 2019 and all other relevant laws.