The government plans to allocate Kes24.9 billion to finance healthcare programmes that are at risk of collapse following the withdrawal of critical funding from the US charity arm, USAID.

Last month, United States President Donald Trump announced plans to dismantle USAID, a move that has left Kenya and other governments in poor countries reeling. 

For decades, USAID has been offering billions of aid to Kenya to finance several healthcare programmes including HIV and AIDs, malaria and tuberculosis (TB). 

“Following the withdrawal of funding on key healthcare programmes by the US Government, the Government of Kenya has made necessary contingency financing plans to ensure seamless delivery of services to the people,” noted Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki during the National and County Governments Health Summit to assess the implementation of Taifa Care.

He announced that the government will be providing KES7.8 billion to meet the cost of treating chronic diseases and providing critical care services under the Taifa Care programme. 

“In the supplementary budget that will be tabled in the National Assembly this week, KES3 billion will be added to the chronic and critical illnesses kitty and another KES3 billion to the primary healthcare fund. A further KES1.8 billion will be injected to boost the maternal healthcare services,” he explained.

The summit provided a platform to assess the implementation plan of Taifa Care and discuss strategies for strengthening healthcare access, financing, and service delivery in the country.

Key areas of focus included the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), Human Resources for Health (HRH), and sustainable financing to ensure quality and affordable healthcare for all Kenyans.

During the forum, Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa announced increased benefits in insurance benefits for cancer and patients in ICUs, even as the government considers offering overseas treatment under SHA. 

Dr. Barasa revealed that SHA has reviewed upwards the payment for ICU services to KES28,000 from Kes4,480 per day.

''Equally for oncology services, we are happy to report that previously we were at KES400,000, and following concerns from the public, we have been able to increase the same to KES550,000,” she stated.

She added, “Another concern that has come up from Kenyans is the issue of overseas treatment. The SHIF Act provides for the overseas purchasing of healthcare services that are not available locally,” she highlighted.

“However, this requires accreditation, empanelment, and contracting of providers at overseas facilities, so we continue working on facilitating overseas treatment.”

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