Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said the government will take firm action against hospitals and clinics found to have defrauded the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking in Narok on Saturday, August 30, Duale revealed that private insurers have agreed to deregister any health facilities linked to fraud.
He said the ministry will not allow cartels in the health sector to deny Kenyans quality and affordable healthcare.
“Even if you try to tarnish my name through the media, I will not be shaken. Nobody will threaten me as I deal with thieves,” Duale said. “When we deregister your facility, we will also move against fraudulent medical insurers.”
He compared his firm stance to that of the late John Michuki, who was known for cleaning up the transport sector despite resistance.
The CS added that a file with names of those accused of fraud will be handed to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in the coming week so that prosecutions can follow.
Duale’s remarks came a day after the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) shut down 544 health facilities and revoked licences for another 454.
In a gazette notice dated August 29, KMPDC explained that some facilities were closed for operating without licences, while others had hired unregistered staff.
The council also pointed out that several lacked proper infrastructure such as pharmacies, laboratories, maternity wards, and sanitation, putting patients at risk.
