Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has introduced new mandatory requirements for patients seeking treatment at the facility.

In a memo dated Thursday, July 24, KNH Acting Chief Executive Officer William Sigilai announced that patients must have a valid SHA membership for admission or pay a deposit for medical cases or the equivalent cost of the SHA surgical package.

Sigilai clarified that the directive, which takes effect immediately, will not affect patients under critical conditions requiring emergency care.

“Effective today, all patients presenting for admission without a valid SHA membership must be required to pay the admission deposit for medical cases or the equivalent SHA surgical package cost, protocol receiving service, unless it is an emergency case,” he said.

The latest directive means that patients without cash and SHA coverage will be excluded from treatment at the leading government facility, mostly visited by patients who cannot afford the expensive treatment in private hospitals.

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SHA, which replaces the now phased out National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) was introduced to provide affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare services to all Kenyans.

Kenyans are required to remit 2.75 percent of their income as individuals or households to the scheme. The minimum contribution is Sh300, low compared to the previous Sh500 minimum contribution required by NHIF.

So far, about 24.7 million Kenyans have already registered to SHA according to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.