Duale Hits Out at Standard Over Controversial Headline

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has taken a swipe at the Standard Media Group, accusing it of being part of a wider scheme to sabotage the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a statement on Monday, August 25, Duale hit out at the media house over its controversial headline, ‘SHA rip off’, describing it as propaganda and blackmail.
The CS revealed a well-orchestrated scheme by some groups, including the media, who he claimed had been recruited to water down the government’s efforts to reform the health sector.
While criticising the media house, the CS pledged his commitment to spearhead reforms in the SHA, despite ongoing negative commentary from a section of Kenyans.
According to Duale, the government will not rest untilevery Kenyan has access to quality, affordable and dignified healthcare,free from the burden of fraud.
“No amount of propaganda or blackmail will deter us from fixing our healthcare system. We know saboteurs of SHA have recruited several groups, including some sections of the media, to advance their agenda,” Duale wrote.
“Let them be warned: We are fixing this thing regardless of the noise! Our work has just begun. We will not rest until every Kenyan has access to quality, affordable and dignified healthcare, free from the burden of fraud,” he added.
The Standard Media newspaper’s headline ‘SHA rip off’ unravelled an explosive and troubling multi-million-shilling scandal within the new health insurance scheme.
According to the media house, in an article published in its newspaper on Tuesday morning, some little-known hospitals associated with senior government officials allegedly received huge amounts of money not commensurate with the services rendered.
Meanwhile, Duale’s response to Standard Media came hours after theCS uncovered widespread fraud within the health sectorinvolving claims submitted to the SHA.
The CS revealed that claims worth Ksh5.1 billion submitted to the SHA were under re-evaluation and surveillance as the government cracks down on fraudulent billing by health facilities.
Addressing the press on Monday at noon, Duale also disclosed that claims worth Ksh10 billion had been rejected, citing fraudulent practices such as upcoding, falsification of medical records and billing for non-existent patients.