Nairobi — The Social Health Authority (SHA) has suspended services offered by MP Shah Hospital under its health insurance schemes as investigations into the facility continue.

In a statement, SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi said the suspension, which took effect on June 23, covers services provided under the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHCF), Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF), and the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).

The authority, however, clarified that patients who had already been admitted before the suspension took effect will continue receiving treatment until they are discharged.

"To ensure a seamless transition and continuity of care, our beneficiaries already admitted at the facility before the suspension date shall continue receiving care till completion of their current episode of care and discharge," Mwangangi said.

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She advised beneficiaries seeking new admissions, follow-up treatment or other medical services during the suspension period to seek care at other SHA-contracted healthcare facilities.

The authority did not disclose the specific issues under investigation at the hospital.

The suspension comes amid an intensified crackdown on fraud within the healthcare system. In April, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that 12 health facilities had been shut down over fraudulent activities linked to SHA claims.

SHA has also rolled out an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based system to detect suspicious claims and curb abuse of the health insurance scheme.

According to the authority, the technology has flagged billions of shillings in irregular claims, including phantom billing, unnecessary medical procedures and fraudulent registration of dependents.

The government has maintained that the measures are aimed at safeguarding public funds and ensuring that health insurance resources are used for genuine patient care.