Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that cancer patients registered with SHA will now be eligible for up to Kes550,000 in annual treatment coverage under the Social Health Authority (SHA) programme, effective April 1, 2025.

"We are thrilled to announce that additional funding has been allocated to enhance the benefits available for patients in need of cancer diagnosis and treatment services. Each patient will now have access up to Kes550,000 per year, specifically designed to support their treatment journey," Duale said.

Duale confirmed that the coverage would be available to all patients registered with SHA, with funding split between the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF).

"Within this framework, Kes400,000 will be available through the SHIF programme and an additional Kes150,000 will be accessible via ECCIF."

Duale noted that reimbursement for intensive care unit (ICU) and high dependency unit (HDU) services has been significantly increased to Kes28,000 per day, from Kes4,480.

He emphasised that this increase reflects the government's commitment to making critical healthcare services more accessible and adequately supported. Patients will receive these vital services from contracted providers, ensuring they receive the highest quality of care.

"This change underscores our commitment to ensuring that essential healthcare services are accessible and adequately supported,” said the Health CS.

Speaking during a press briefing to mark the official handover of the docket from the outgoing CS Deborah Barasa, the Health Secretary also directed that all Social Health Authority claims owed to hospitals be paid by the 14th of every month in a bid to address the unease raised by the providers over the funds.

"Moving forward, SHA will settle hospital claims by the 14th of every month, ensuring financial stability for healthcare providers," Duale stated. 

The directive is meant to curb instances of hospitals offering medical services that are below the standards, leading to health risks, while restructuring the National Equipment Service Program (NESP) to allow counties to pay for services based on service used rather than upfront costs.

"In the digital space, a national health information system has been deployed, with hospital management systems rolling out across counties to enhance service delivery. Additionally, the National Equipment Service Program has restructured medical equipment access, allowing counties to pay based on service use rather than upfront costs,'' he announced. 

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