The Social Health Authority (SHA) is increasingly becoming synonymous with crises. As the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) continues to hurtle along since its chaotic rollout last October, there have been revelations that the SHA has, within this short time of operations, been defrauded of more billions than during the entire six-decade tenure of its predecessor, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

Now, private hospitals across the country have issued a 14-day go-slow notice to the SHA over Sh76 billion in outstanding debts. The Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association has warned that healthcare is on the brink of a total breakdown. Its officials are convinced that the SHA is unsustainable.

It is unfair to expect these hospitals to continue providing services as debts pile up. After all, the private hospitals need to pay for medicines and other supplies and also the salaries of the professionals and other staff.

The association officials are warning that the health facilities could be auctioned if they are not paid for the services they are offering Kenyans. The total debt comprises Sh33 billion owed by the defunct NHIF and Sh43 billion by the SHA in just under a year.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who has overseen the speedy closure of 1,000 hospitals accused of defrauding SHA, had also better move quickly to avert the collapse of the services offered by the private institutions. He should also address the allegations that some nondescript hospitals belonging to well-connected individuals have been receiving hefty disbursements from the SHA.

Interestingly, six months have elapsed since President William Ruto himself announced that payments would be made to the facilities owed less than Sh10 billion. There is no indication as to when this will be done.

Decisive measures are now required to ensure that patients enjoy their constitutional right to access quality and affordable healthcare.