Faith Masita
Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale has outlined key milestones in the ongoing transformation of Kenya’s healthcare system, as the government accelerates implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Speaking during the Senate Assessment and Planning Retreat, the CS emphasised the importance of devolution in expanding access to healthcare, noting that functional Level 4 and 5 hospitals have now been established across all 47 counties. He described the devolution of health services as a significant constitutional milestone that has improved equity and brought specialised services closer to communities.
Hon. Duale said the reforms are anchored on four major statutes the Social Health Insurance Act, the Digital Health Act, the Primary Health Care Act and the Facility Improvement Financing Act — which together provide the legal framework guiding the sector’s transformation.
On health financing, he reported steady progress under the Social Health Authority (SHA), with millions of Kenyans registered and funds collected and disbursed to healthcare providers. He clarified that the KES 12.7 billion cited in recent public discourse relates to claims that were flagged, rejected and unpaid through strengthened verification systems, underscoring safeguards put in place to protect public resources.
The CS highlighted the ongoing rollout of free Primary Health Care services at Level 2 and 3 facilities, aimed at reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving access to essential services. He also cited the “Lipa SHA Pole Pole” model as a flexible contribution mechanism designed to enable informal sector workers to participate in the national health insurance framework.
On digital transformation, Hon. Duale noted that thousands of health facilities have been linked to the TaifaCare platform, supported by an AI-powered fraud detection engine that identifies and blocks suspicious claims in real time, enhancing transparency and accountability in claims management.
He further underscored investments in the health workforce, including the formal recognition and digitisation of 107,000 Community Health Promoters to strengthen service delivery at the community level, alongside ongoing reforms to improve medical equipment supply and expand specialised services.
The CS called for sustained legislative and budgetary support to consolidate the gains achieved, reiterating that the health sector reforms are anchored on transparency, sustainability and equitable access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
The session, chaired by Nairobi County Senator Hon. Edwin Sifuna, was attended by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga; Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth; Council of Governors Health Committee Chair H.E. Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir; Senate Health Committee Chair Sen. Jackson Mandago; Social Health Authority CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi; and Digital Health Agency CEO Eng. Anthony Lenayara.
Speaking during the Senate Assessment and Planning Retreat, the CS emphasised the importance of devolution in expanding access to healthcare, noting that functional Level 4 and 5 hospitals have now been established across all 47 counties. He described the devolution of health services as a significant constitutional milestone that has improved equity and brought specialised services closer to communities.
Hon. Duale said the reforms are anchored on four major statutes the Social Health Insurance Act, the Digital Health Act, the Primary Health Care Act and the Facility Improvement Financing Act — which together provide the legal framework guiding the sector’s transformation.
On health financing, he reported steady progress under the Social Health Authority (SHA), with millions of Kenyans registered and funds collected and disbursed to healthcare providers. He clarified that the KES 12.7 billion cited in recent public discourse relates to claims that were flagged, rejected and unpaid through strengthened verification systems, underscoring safeguards put in place to protect public resources.
The CS highlighted the ongoing rollout of free Primary Health Care services at Level 2 and 3 facilities, aimed at reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving access to essential services. He also cited the “Lipa SHA Pole Pole” model as a flexible contribution mechanism designed to enable informal sector workers to participate in the national health insurance framework.
On digital transformation, Hon. Duale noted that thousands of health facilities have been linked to the TaifaCare platform, supported by an AI-powered fraud detection engine that identifies and blocks suspicious claims in real time, enhancing transparency and accountability in claims management.
He further underscored investments in the health workforce, including the formal recognition and digitisation of 107,000 Community Health Promoters to strengthen service delivery at the community level, alongside ongoing reforms to improve medical equipment supply and expand specialised services.
The CS called for sustained legislative and budgetary support to consolidate the gains achieved, reiterating that the health sector reforms are anchored on transparency, sustainability and equitable access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans.
The session, chaired by Nairobi County Senator Hon. Edwin Sifuna, was attended by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga; Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth; Council of Governors Health Committee Chair H.E. Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir; Senate Health Committee Chair Sen. Jackson Mandago; Social Health Authority CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi; and Digital Health Agency CEO Eng. Anthony Lenayara.
