The government has entered into an agreement with a number of top hospitals in Kenya where patients in need of kidney transplants can access this critical service under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

According to Health CS Aden Duale, patients in Kenya can now access kidney transplant services at the Aga Khan Hospital, the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi West and at the Nairobi Hospital with payments settled under SHA.

Speaking on Tuesday through KBC Radio Taifa and Radio Iftin, the CS said patients will undergo kidney transplant procedure, receive medication, and all costs will be covered by SHA. Previously, many Kenyans had to travel to India for these treatments.

In April, the Ministry of Health suspended all kidney transplant operations at Mediheal Group of Hospitals following an expose that uncovered a web of organ trafficking that saw thousands of vulnerable young people lured into selling their kidneys for quick cash, only to fall into devastating health complications.

Additionally, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) was directed to halt the licensing of new foreign medical practitioners, with the exception of those from East African Community member states.

Duale also instructed KMPDC to undertake an audit of all licensed foreign practitioners in Kenya with a view to eliminate fraud.

Transition from NHIF to SHA

During the Tuesday morning show, Duale also took the opportunity to address the public about the ongoing transition from NHIF to SHA, which has been marred by claims of inefficiency, delayed payments and often times failure.

The CS noted that since the roll out of SHA a little over a year ago, the Government has mobilised KES81 billion to support the shift from NHIF to a more efficient, people-centred healthcare system. 

So far, over 30 million Kenyans have enrolled under SHA, marking major progress toward universal risk pooling.

"This system is still new, and we are receiving feedback from Kenyans. Many health ministers from neighboring countries are asking us how we did it and want to come learn from us," stated Duale.

According to the the Rural and Urban Private Hospitals Association of Kenya (RUPHA), however, the money owed to the defunct NHIF by various ministries, departments and agencies as at 30th September 2024 stands at a staggering KES13.8 billion with the Ministry of Health alone owing KES7.8 billion.

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