The government on Wednesday marked a major milestone in the efforts towards realisation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the launch of Taifa-Care and the Digital Health Transformation agenda in Nyandarua County.
Speaking during the occasion at Ol-kalou town in Nyandarua County, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale underscored the government’s commitment to building a fair, efficient, and patient-centred health care system.
“TaifaCare is not just another insurance scheme. It is a bold reimagining of healthcare financing that ensures no Kenyan is left behind. For those in formal employment, it provides comprehensive cover; for those in the informal sector, it is flexible and affordable; and for the vulnerable, the government will continue to fully support their premiums,” said CS Duale.
The CS further noted that with the power of digital health, the government is building a future where a mother in Kipipiri or a patient in Wajir can seamlessly access their medical history anywhere in Kenya, ensuring timely and dignified care.
On the Social Health Authority (SHA), Duale revealed that at least 26 million Kenyans have so far enrolled, a milestone that has been attributed to the aggressive county-by-county registration campaigns.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, this has been realised due to the progress of SHA reforms since the rollout of Taifa Care on October 1, 2024.
The CS called on county administrations to keep this momentum alive so that no Kenyan is left behind.
He underscored the need for Kenyans to register as SHA members, saying this will be of great benefit while seeking medical services.
Duale at the same time revealed that plans to upgrade JM Kariuki Memorial Hospital from a level-4 hospital to a level-5 health facility were in advanced stages.
This, he said, will enable patients from Nyandarua to receive specialised treatment rather than seeking such services in neighbouring counties and other regions.
Further, other sub-county health centres will also be upgraded.
At the same time, the CS called on Kenyans to delink health services from politics in order to enable it to work and serve the purpose it is intended for.
He noted that the Kenyan Kwanza administration was committed to fixing health care delivery services as a major priority and hence urged Kenyans to shun leaders who politicise health services and to be patient with ongoing reforms.
The launch also recognised the crucial role of counties, health workers, and community health promoters (CHPs) as the frontline drivers of change.
In Nyandarua, over 1,249 CHPs are already equipped with digital tools to register households, conduct assessments, and make timely referrals.
By Kimani Tirus and Evelyn King’ori
