Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale officially inaugurated Monday the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel, marking a significant step toward realisation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The inauguration follows the gazettment of the Panel through Gazette Notice No. 5044 on April 23.
Speaking during the ceremony, Duale reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to achieving UHC, noting that improved health financing is central to this goal.
“A healthier population is the foundation of a more prosperous nation,” Duale stated.
He added that the establishment of this Panel represents a strategic investment in the country’s human capital and economic growth.
Duale is mandated to establish the Panel in line with the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023.
The newly appointed Panel comprises experts from diverse sectors and will be hosted at the University of Nairobi’s College of Health Sciences.
Its primary role is to advise on the design and periodic review of health benefits packages and tariffs under the Social Health Insurance framework.
Its recommendations will be grounded in Health Technology Assessment (HTA), ensuring that all interventions are evidence-based, equitable, cost-effective, and aligned with the national health priorities.
Key functions of the Panel include designing and updating benefit packages based on disease burden and population health needs, and reviewing and rationalising tariffs to ensure affordability.
It is also tasked with identifying essential health interventions not currently accessible in the country and engaging with healthcare providers and the public to foster inclusive policy development.
Duale urged the Panel to prioritise urgent challenges such as inadequate health data, high treatment costs for chronic and complex conditions, lack of pricing regulation, and the need for sustainable financing models.
He also stressed the importance of integrating donor-funded vertical programs into national benefit packages and simulating efficient outpatient and inpatient service models.
He further called for collaboration among the stakeholders.
“Let us ensure that the benefits and tariffs we develop are inclusive, data-informed, cost-effective, and sustainable. The Ministry of Health stands ready to support this initiative fully,” he said.
The Panel is expected to meet at least twice a year and will play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s path toward equitable and quality healthcare for all.
This is in line with the national commitment to “Leave No One Behind.”
