Legislators begin probe into NHIF rot
The National Assembly’s committee on Health will tomorrow commence a public inquiry into the alleged fraudulent payments of medical claims and capitation payments to health facilities by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
The committee will also investigate allegations of corruption, fraud, and other malpractices in the payment of claims to health facilities as well as assess the efficiency and effectiveness of NHIF quality assurance mechanisms.
During the 90-day public inquiry, the committee’s top priority will be to establish whether fraud and other malpractices were involved in the payment of claims made to eight health facilities that have been suspended for 90 days.
The facilities include Afya Bora Hospital, Afya Bora Hospital Annex, Jekim Hospital Nkubu Ltd, Jekim Medical Centre, Joy Nursing and Maternity Eastleigh and St Peter’s Orthopedics and Surgical Specialty Hospital.
In an advertisement placed in the local dailies, clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge asked members of the public to submit their views regarding the matter on or before close of business today.
“In compliance with Article 118 (1) (b) of the constitution, the committee hereby invites the public to submit memoranda on the specific terms of reference of the inquiry as outlined and on any relevant issue they may wish to draw the attention of the committee,” reads the advertisement.
It adds: “The memoranda may be addressed to the Clerk of the National Assembly , P.O Box 41842-00100 hand delivered to the office of the clerk of the National Assembly, main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi or emailed to [email protected] to be received on or before Friday 21st July,2023 at 5:00PM,”
Endebess MP Robert Pukose, who chairs the committee says the public inquiry is not a witch hunt but a probe to address the deep-rooted problems within the struggling national insurer.
