KMPDU Congratulates Mercy Mwangangi on Appointment as CEO of Social Health Authority
- Mercy Mwangangi has been appointed as the inaugural CEO of the Social Health Authority (SHA), a move welcomed by the KMPDU with both praise and pointed expectations
- KMPDU urged Mwangangi to tackle SHA’s credibility crisis, citing widespread public complaints, eroded trust, and unresolved petitions
- Despite raising concerns, the union expressed confidence in her leadership, referencing her steady hand during the COVID-19 crisis
- The Ministry of Health cited her deep expertise in health financing and reform, noting her standout performance at Amref and her selection from a pool of 92 candidates
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has congratulated Mercy Mwangangi on her appointment as the first CEO of the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Source: Twitter
In a heartfelt statement issued on Friday, April 11, the doctors' union did not mince words about the state of the health scheme, reminding her of the daunting task ahead.
KMPDU described the SHA as a system plagued by public complaints and eroded trust, and one that urgently needs bold leadership.
"Congratulations, Mercy Mwangangi, on your appointment as chief executive officer of the Social Health Authority (SHA). You are stepping into office to find a desk full of complaints from millions of Kenyans and a trail of uninspiring stories about the scheme; alongside multiple petitions from workers' rights groups, including that of KMPDU," said Davji Bhimji Atellah, KMPDU’s secretary general.
Despite the criticism, KMPDU expressed confidence in Mwangangi’s ability to turn things around, pointing to her leadership during one of the nation’s darkest moments.
"We acknowledge your leadership in navigating the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both as consumers of the service and as a watchdog, we are confident that you will apply the same depth of expertise and commitment to establish SHA as a people-centred, transparent, and accountable public health cover," added the doctors' union.
Why the Ministry chose Mercy Mwangangi
The Ministry of Health announced Mwangangi’s appointment in an official communique signed by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
Source: Twitter
Duale cited Mwangangi's impressive track record in health financing, universal health coverage, and institutional reform.
"Mwangangi, a health financing and policy expert with over 15 years of experience in universal health coverage (UHC) and a proven leader in health governance, resource mobilisation, and strategic partnerships, with an exceptional track record of driving policy transformation and financing reforms in Kenya's healthcare landscape," the ministry stated.
Prior to the appointment, Mwangangi worked at Amref Health Africa as the Senior Director for Health Systems Strengthening.
There, she was responsible for enhancing health security investments and securing funding for primary healthcare across the continent.
Mwangangi’s selection followed a competitive recruitment process that saw 92 applicants fight for the role.
Why Kenyans are dissatisfied with SHA
The recently introduced health program, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), focuses on three primary health funds: the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), the Primary Healthcare Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illnesses Fund.
However, there has been public skepticism surrounding the program due to numerous instances of inefficiencies that have disadvantaged those seeking medical assistance through it.
One of the key challenges facing the Social Health Authority (SHA) is believed to be inadequate funding.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Didacus Malowa (Political and current affairs editor) Didacus Malowa is a political and current affairs editor at TUKO.co.ke. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Media Technology with IT from Maseno University in 2021. He has over two years of experience in digital journalism. Email: didacus.malowa@tuko.co.ke
Asher Omondi (Copyeditor) Asher Omondi is a political and current affairs editor with over six years of experience in digital media. Previously, he had worked in various organisations both as a social media manager and a monitor (FEMNET, Ghafla Kenya). He was a Broadcast Journalism student at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication class of 2013. You can reach Asher at asher.omondi@tuko.co.ke.
