SHA Chief Executive Officer Wachira Suspended
The board of SHA, which made the decision, partly blamed him for the ongoing chaotic transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) into the authority.
The board therefore appointed Robert Ingasira, Director of Financial Services, as the acting CEO.
The board also accused Wachira of prioritising payments to private hospitals for services offered to SHA members, at the expense of public hospitals.
“As its first assignment towards UHC attainment, it has been critical to pursue the clearance of these pending bills as they also disburse claims on time to avoid payment backlogs. Fifty per cent of the Sh19 billion pending bills have been cleared in just over one month, a historic fete since the advent of SHA,” the minutes read.
“It therefore comes as a concern when the Acting CEO, Mr. Elijah Wachira takes actions that not only go against this effort but put the delivery of health care services at risk despite the government’s best effort by diverting resources to a tune of Sh1.6 billion earmarked for offsetting debt to public government facilities almost leading to paralysis of healthcare on account of pending bills,” the board stated.
Wachira was appointed CEO of the NHIF in October last year after a competitive process
“The new management team brings on board an invaluable wealth of experience that will immensely contribute to the transition of the Fund into success,” former NHIF Board chairman Michael Kamau said at that time.
He is a seasoned insurer, having been the Managing Director of CIC General for four years before he joined NHIF.
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