Health Cabinet Secretary (CS), Aden Duale, has announced the Ministry’s plans to review and upscale packages under the Social Health Authority (SHA) program.
The initiative comes in response to feedback from Kenyans requesting improvements, particularly in oncology services.
Duale revealed that the Ministry is working closely with the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel to ensure that the revised SHA packages are fair, evidence-based, affordable, and financially sustainable, in line with the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
A key focus of the review is on the oncology package, currently capped at Sh550,000 as many Kenyans have requested an increase, citing the high costs of cancer treatment.
The announcement was made as the CS presided over the annual convention of the Kenya Association of Private Hospitals (KAPH) in Nairobi when he reassured stakeholders that the Ministry remains committed to making the SHA program effective in delivering quality healthcare to all Kenyans.
The CS also highlighted the 5th Administration’s UHC agenda, focusing on a skilled workforce, innovative financing through SHIF, secure locally made health products, and a fully digital health system.
He urged the private sector to partner with the government in raising standards, protecting patients, securing facilities, and improving medical training.
In addition, Duale reported that the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) is being strengthened to ensure adherence to fundamental safety and minimum health standards and accelerating quality healthcare.
He also pointed out that the digital health adoption will help eliminate unqualified practitioners and fraud, while foreign specialists will be engaged only for verified local shortages, with time-bound approvals linked to skills transfer.
Meanwhile, the convention culminated with the launch of the KAPH Anti-Fraud Policy, a key step in self-regulation aligned with SHA, Digital Health Authority, and KMPDC frameworks to curb fraud, waste, and abuse.
By Michael Omondi
