By Bonface Mulyungi

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced the closure of 12 medical facilities over fraud linked to the Social Health Authority (SHA) in an ongoing nationwide crackdown.

Speaking in Garissa on Saturday, Duale singled out five counties leading in suspicious and fictitious medical claims in attempts to obtain funds irregularly.

Eighteen facilities are already facing court proceedings, with the total number of facilities shut down since the crackdown began now standing at 1,000.

Among those in the spotlight is Bungoma West Hospital in Bungoma County, which was suspended from the provider panel on March 30 over suspected fraudulent claims practices for a period of 90 days.

The facility has been directed to transfer all patients to nearby SHA-contracted facilities effective immediately.

However, the hospital has termed the allegations as baseless, saying it serves a large number of patients who will be disenfranchised by the suspension.

“And these are mainly private hospitals that the SHA forensic auditors have flagged as facilities involved in serious fraud. We will protect public resources meant for the healthcare of our citizens,” stated Duale.

Other facilities flagged and suspended include Baypharm Medical Centre in Homa Bay, Dawida Annex Hospital Ltd in Taita Taveta, Kerugoya Medical Centre in Kirinyaga and Raycos Health Centre in Mombasa. Calvary Hope Medical Centre in Bungoma and Shamberere Dispensary in Kakamega were also affected, alongside Kurafa Medical Centre in Kiambu and Umoja Three Medical Centre in Nairobi.

Also on the list is The Pro Elite Westlands General and Specialist Hospital Ltd in Nairobi.

The CS warned that no amount of political interference will stop the ongoing crackdown.

“I want to tell the owners of these facilities that political parties will not help you, and so far we have 24 facilities undergoing forensic audit. We have a duty, the men and women I work with at the Ministry of Health have firm instructions under the law to protect public resources,” Duale warned.

Duale listed Bungoma, Kisii, Homa Bay, Mandera and Wajir as the counties leading in suspected SHA fraud claims, warning of increased scrutiny for facilities operating in those regions.