NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ministry of Health has scrapped the tariff-locking mechanism under the Social Health Authority (SHA) system following widespread complaints that civil servants were being denied services or forced to pay out of pocket.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced the decision on Thursday after chairing a high-level meeting aimed at resolving service disruptions affecting public officers.
“To alleviate the immediate friction at the point of care, SHA will immediately withdraw the tariff locking currently configured in the system,” Duale said.
The directive means all SHA-contracted facilities are now barred from charging civil servants for medication, with immediate effect.
The ministry also suspended strict enforcement of tariff limits pending the conclusion of nationwide negotiations on pricing structures.
According to the resolution, the move is anchored in existing contractual obligations between SHA and health facilities, including provisions under the main contract and subsequent addendum governing service delivery.
“This directive is in strict adherence to the binding obligations already executed… Accordingly, the strict tariff applications… shall remain suspended,” part of the statement read.
The ministry further announced the establishment of a joint rapid response desk to handle urgent cases, including securing the release of civil servants detained in hospitals over unpaid bills.
The unit will bring together SHA, the State Department for Public Service, and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS).
The desk will also process refunds for unauthorised charges imposed on patients.
The intervention follows mounting complaints from civil servants who reported being turned away from facilities or asked to make cash payments despite regular deductions toward health coverage.
The disruptions have disproportionately affected patients requiring ongoing care, including those undergoing dialysis, cancer treatment, diabetes management, and emergency services.
Earlier, the ministry dismissed claims that SHA services for civil servants had been suspended, insisting that contracted facilities must honour service agreements without demanding additional payments.
Thursday’s meeting also resolved to enforce a strict “walk-in, walk-out” policy, effectively eliminating co-payments for eligible beneficiaries within the SHA network.
Under the revised framework, only facilities contracted under SHA will be authorised to provide services through the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF). Facilities found in violation risk penalties, including termination of contracts.
