Health Reforms in Kenya: SHA to Directly Fund Public Hospitals
Duale urged citizens to register with SHA, emphasizing that the program is inclusive, covering public, private, and faith-based facilities.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. Photo/Mzalendo News.
By Robert Assad
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced a major overhaul of Kenya’s healthcare funding system.
Public hospitals will now receive direct payments from the Social Health Authority (SHA), bypassing the delays that plagued the previous National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) system, where funds were routed through county treasuries.
This reform aims to ensure that healthcare facilities receive resources promptly, enabling them to deliver timely and efficient services to millions of Kenyans.
Duale emphasized that the new system marks a significant departure from the inefficiencies of the NHIF era. “This will be the money from the defunct NHIF where funds were channelled to the counties,” he stated during a recent address.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Kenya Kwanza administration to enroll 22 million Kenyans into the SHA, a move Duale described as one of the most impactful health reforms under the current government.
Despite challenges posed by misinformation, the Health Ministry is committed to ensuring the success of this transition.
To support vulnerable populations, the government is collaborating with the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the Social Protection Programme to identify and assist those in need.
Additionally, the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) will receive direct payments for drugs, a move expected to reduce the backlog of supplies to health facilities and ensure a steady flow of essential medicines.
Duale noted that SHA has already received a KSh 22 million clock-in allocation to support these efforts.
A cornerstone of the reform is the introduction of a digital health system designed to protect data, prevent fraud, and enable evidence-based financing.
Guided by the Kenya Health Data Governance Framework, this system will provide a comprehensive, integrated platform for managing health information.
“The new digital health system will ensure robust data protection while providing a framework for smart health financing,” Duale explained.
Under the Taifa Care initiative, the government aims to ensure that every Kenyan, from Level II to Level IV health facilities, has access to essential healthcare services.
Duale urged citizens to register with SHA, emphasizing that the program is inclusive, covering public, private, and faith-based facilities.
“We are moving to rally Kenyans to enroll in SHA to access a lot of benefits,” he said, underscoring the transformative potential of these reforms for Kenya’s healthcare landscape.
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