NAIROBI, Kenya – The Social Health Authority (SHA) has clarified that it holds no contracts with any service provider concerning the digitisation of Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) systems.
The assertion comes amid heightened scrutiny over alleged deals involving the embattled Adani Group.
Abdi Mohammed, chair of the SHA board, stated that the existing digitisation system, known as HICS, was inherited from the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Mohammed emphasized that current contracts for healthcare digitisation are between the Ministry of Health and private entities, including Safaricom PLC, Apeiro Limited, and Konvergenz Network Solutions.
“The digitisation contract being alluded to is not ours,” Mohammed clarified. “It is under the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Safaricom and its partners.”
Digitisation is a cornerstone of Kenya’s Universal Healthcare Coverage agenda, aimed at improving efficiency, enhancing data portability, and curbing fraud in healthcare services.
Mohammed noted that SHA plays a role in this broader health digitisation strategy, which includes agencies like the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) and 17 regulatory bodies.
Despite the clarification, SHA has been drawn into controversies surrounding alleged deals involving the Adani Group.
Critics have called for President William Ruto to terminate purported Adani-linked agreements in the health sector, similar to his recent directive canceling deals with the group involving Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco).
Opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka weighed in, urging the President to take action: “It is not enough to cancel the Adani Group deals at JKIA and Ketraco. Adani is also in SHA/SHIF. Ruto should cancel this deal immediately,” Musyoka posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Mohammed dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign by cartels seeking to exploit the transition from NHIF to SHA, stating, “SHA is probably being dragged into the alleged Adani deals by cartels who were benefiting from NHIF at the expense of citizens.”
Separately, Safaricom recently announced its partnership with Apeiro Limited and Konvergenz Network Solutions to implement a Sh104.8 billion Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS).
This 10-year project, scheduled for full rollout by February 2025, is designed to modernize Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure through digitisation.
The assertion comes amid heightened scrutiny over alleged deals involving the embattled Adani Group.
Abdi Mohammed, chair of the SHA board, stated that the existing digitisation system, known as HICS, was inherited from the now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Mohammed emphasized that current contracts for healthcare digitisation are between the Ministry of Health and private entities, including Safaricom PLC, Apeiro Limited, and Konvergenz Network Solutions.
“The digitisation contract being alluded to is not ours,” Mohammed clarified. “It is under the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Safaricom and its partners.”
Digitisation is a cornerstone of Kenya’s Universal Healthcare Coverage agenda, aimed at improving efficiency, enhancing data portability, and curbing fraud in healthcare services.
Mohammed noted that SHA plays a role in this broader health digitisation strategy, which includes agencies like the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) and 17 regulatory bodies.
Despite the clarification, SHA has been drawn into controversies surrounding alleged deals involving the Adani Group.
Critics have called for President William Ruto to terminate purported Adani-linked agreements in the health sector, similar to his recent directive canceling deals with the group involving Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco).
Opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka weighed in, urging the President to take action: “It is not enough to cancel the Adani Group deals at JKIA and Ketraco. Adani is also in SHA/SHIF. Ruto should cancel this deal immediately,” Musyoka posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Mohammed dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign by cartels seeking to exploit the transition from NHIF to SHA, stating, “SHA is probably being dragged into the alleged Adani deals by cartels who were benefiting from NHIF at the expense of citizens.”
Separately, Safaricom recently announced its partnership with Apeiro Limited and Konvergenz Network Solutions to implement a Sh104.8 billion Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS).
This 10-year project, scheduled for full rollout by February 2025, is designed to modernize Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure through digitisation.
