A Health Policy without Health

Press Release

The Ministry of Health has revealed that Ksh.20 billion has been lost through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) scheme through manufactured claims and fake surgeries, among other fraudulently conducted activities by health facilities. Health Cabinet Secretary Wafula Nakhumicha, blew the lid on the scandal affecting health facilities, saying that out of 67 audited hospitals in the country, 27 had been suspended over the loss of Ksh.171 million through the NHIF program.

We would like to mention the following:

It is of great injustice for the state officials entrusted to represent the public interests, instead of working to improve the life standard of common man they are strongly competing over embezzlement of the public resources.

The health sector just like any public sector in all capitalist regimes is not adequately taken care of, as the only motive for efficiency and good performance is profit. With this in mind, health in essence is never a priority in any capitalist leadership. Hence it is not the objective of these capitalist governments to take care of the welfare but that of a certain bunch of influential and affluent only. More ever, the health insurance policy in itself is a clear manifestation of State alienating from looking after the public affairs including health. Under this corrupt policy, the ordinary citizen is compelled to pay for health services prior to falling sick.

Since Kenya adopts the Corrupt Capitalist ideology that is infested with intense yearning to amass wealth by all means then “war on corruption” will never be won. The system is inundated with materialistic gratification devoid of spirituality being the sole criteria in life triggers the society particularly state officials to be motivated with avidity to amass wealth through corrupt means.

Islam has set the medical sector as one of the basic needs for the public which needs grave and serious attention. Islam does not view health services or any public service as privilege or favor but as a priority upon which the state is obligated to provide it to all its citizens.

As for corruption by state officials this can be only effectively dealt with through Khilafah State (Caliphate) where the head of the state (Khalifah) implements the divine laws (Shariah). The laws that determine how the State collects and spends its resources. In addition, Islam has mandated that the wealth of the state officer should be determined before and after he assumes the office and after he leaves it. Any abnormal increase in the wealth of the ruler or any government official is confiscated and admitted to the state treasury (Baitul Mal).

We state it is only the Khilafah (Caliphate) upon the method of the Prophethood that will end the menace of graft in Kenya and the world at large.

Shabani Mwalimu
Media Representative of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Kenya