Health CS Mlongo Summoned to Parliament Over Sh104 Billion SHIF ICT System procurement .

Health CS Debra Mlongo is set to appear before the National Assembly's Health Committee on Monday, September 30, 2024, to address growing concerns over the Sh104 billion procurement of an ICT system for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). Lawmakers have raised critical questions about whether this costly project will provide value to taxpayers. Key issues include potential corruption, single-sourcing of the system, and the absence of tender documentation and public participation in the process.

The committee has pointed out that the current NHIF system is functioning well and adequately serving the public, making a full-scale replacement unnecessary. They have recommended a gradual transition to any new system rather than an abrupt overhaul of the existing infrastructure.

The new Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System is viewed as a pivotal part of the Universal Health Coverage initiative. However, its procurement under a Specially Permitted Procurement Procedure has drawn sharp criticism from MPs, who argue the process was opaque and lacked transparency. The lawmakers have called for the contract, valued at Sh104.8 billion, to be halted due to concerns over the misuse of taxpayer funds.