The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA) Chairman, Dr Brian Lishenga, has stepped down.
He resigned yesterday evening following what he described an increasingly hostile working relationship. This, he said has been experienced with the Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“I have decided to quit RUPHA leadership. It has been a journey of perseverance but it is so hostile to keep up,” Lishenga said.
In an interview with The Standard, the doctor said the relationship between RUPHA and key government health agencies had deteriorated to a point where there can be no meaningful engagement on issues affecting private healthcare providers, primary healthcare facilities and SHA payments.
The defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) legacy debts and patient access had become increasingly difficult. In recent past, he said RUPHA officials have experienced reduced access to senior officials in the Ministry of Health, SHA and related agencies.
