Massive job losses at NHIF as new Social Health Authority (SHA) takes over health insurance

The jobs of current staff at the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) are in limbo after the new authority took over management.

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha said the operation at the Social Health Authority (SHA) will begin afresh, including employment of staff.

Ms Nakhumicha gave SHA chairperson Dr Timothy Olweny an ultimatum of two months to provide proper structures to spearhead the employment process.

She said the structures will determine on whether jobs of the current employees will be guaranteed or not.

The CS spoke during a meeting with NHIF employees, which brought together the newly inaugurated SHA board, NHIF board and top NHIF management.

During the meeting where employees raised their fears of their job security, Nakhumicha said the buck stops at SHA board.

The employees, she said, will undergo suitability assessment and if they qualify for SHA set structures they will transition.

Second option for the employee is to take early retirement package which will be handled by a team drawn from Ministry of Health, Public Service Commission and NHIF.

The third option for the employee is to have them absorbed to other public sector.

According to Nakhumicha’s position, staff who want to transition to other public service departments will receive same pay they are getting at the NHIF.
More stress to our brothers and sisters as new year knocks in.