The government on Monday inaugurated the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP) to provide expert advice on the design and review of benefit packages and tariffs under the Social Health Insurance framework.
Speaking during the inauguration of the panel at Afya House, Health CS Adan Duale said that the panel will be able to make recommendations through health technology assessment.
The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale had appointed and officially gazetted the BPTAP through Gazette Notice No. 5044 of April 2025.
The panel will also review and revise prices to make them cost-effective and affordable.
“BPTAP will determine the priority health actions missing in Kenya, explore the problems arising from diseases, population health needs and the extent to which people are able to access services to inform policy making, he added.
The CS emphasised that this will also involve different groups, such as the general public and healthcare providers, to make sure everyone is represented when making policies.
Finally, it will provide evidence to help the Ministry of Health and the Social Health Authority to develop the benefit package.
“This panel, which will be hosted at the University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences, was selected through a very competitive process, and it’s expected to convene at least twice annually to undertake its mandate,” CS Duale said.
Duale further said the initiative marks a significant step in strengthening the partnership across government, academia, the private sector and civil society, and such collaborations will ensure that there’s the element of transparency, accountability and broader stakeholder input.
The implementation of the social health insurance since its rollout on the 1st of October has not been without challenges; hence, the CS urged the panel to address priority areas which include inadequate data on disease burden, population needs, the cost of services, which is high in our country, and lacking price regulations for health services and products.
The Advisory Panel will be chaired by renowned public health expert Prof. Walter Jaoko from the University of Nairobi.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Principal Secretaries Dr Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Ms Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards), as well as senior officials and representatives from the health sector.
By Wesley Omondi and Seif Ndung’u
