The Department of Health and Sanitation Services, Turkana County has received biometric registration and authentication devices for 167 Level II health facilities across all 11 sub-counties.
This marks a key milestone in the transition to Taifa Care and will support Social Health Authority (SHA) claims processing.
Supported by the Digital Health Agency (DHA) and Safaricom PLC, the initiative aims to reduce identity theft and impersonation, prevent duplicate and fraudulent enrolments and ensure services are accessed only by rightful beneficiaries.
Previously, facilities relied on One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to verify patients. With the new technology, patient authentication, care management, and follow-up will be faster, more secure, and more efficient.
Chief Officer for Medical Services, Dr. Gilchrist Lokoel, welcomed the transition terming it a game changer.
“This technology will reduce fraud by ensuring healthcare funds are used only by genuine beneficiaries. It safeguards the integrity and sustainability of Taifa Care,” he said.
Dr. Lokoel added that the devices will cut paperwork, minimize manual data-entry errors, and reduce waiting times during registration.
“The biometric system links a patient’s fingerprints to their health records. This eliminates unauthorized sharing of pre-authorization codes and ensures only registered beneficiaries access services,” he added.
County ICT Officer Eliud Eyangan said the rollout will strengthen digital health systems and improve patient experience as Taifa Care is implemented.
The County Government remains committed to delivering accessible, quality, and accountable healthcare for all residents.
By Peter Gitonga
