Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has disclosed that so
far, the government has disbursed Sh59.3 billion to health facilities across
the country under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
In a statement during the 28th Ordinary Session of Intergovernmental
Budget and Economic Council held at the Official Residence of the Deputy
President Kithure Kindiki in Karen, Nairobi, Duale said private healthcare providers
were paid Sh29.8 billion.
He went on to state that county facilities received Sh13.7 billion,
faith-based health institutions Sh9.9 billion, while national referral
hospitals received Sh5.9 billion.
“Claims and disbursements continue to increase,” Duale said.
“To date, 3.6 million Kenyans have accessed free primary
care, while 2.1 million have benefitted from advanced treatment such as
dialysis and cancer care.”
The Cabinet Secretary noted that the Social Health Authority
(SHA) has made impressive progress with over 26.5 million Kenyans registered,
as of Monday.
“Counties leading in registration include Mombasa (70.5%),
Bomet (62.6%), Kirinyaga (61.4%), Elgeyo Marakwet (60.5%), and Nyeri (60.3%).
On the other hand, Garissa, Turkana, Isiolo, Marsabit, and West Pokot remain
below 25%, highlighting the need for intensified support and coordination,” he stated.
He added that Sh70 billion has also been mobilized, and at
least 4.4 million Kenyans are actively contributing towards their healthcare.
“Services are being accessed from over 10,000 healthcare
providers and facilities.
“Over 17.5 million healthcare visits have been recorded
under SHA—benefiting 7.1 million unique patients. Of these, 5 million visits
were supported through SHIF and ECCIF, while 12.5 million individuals received
services under the Primary Health Care (PHC) benefits,” Duale said.
The CS said Taifa Care is currently transitioning from
policy to implementation, and its success relies on sustained collaboration
with counties.
He said this way, the government is creating a resilient,
equitable, and digitally enabled health system that will make Universal Health
Coverage a reality.
"We urge counties to ensure quality service provision,
premium compliance, contract eligible providers, and submit quality claims to
sustain the reform momentum."
In the Progress report of the Taifa Care rollout, he said
that at the facility level, 24 counties are implementing the Taifa Care
Hospital Management Information System.
He added that already, 937 out of 3,386 facilities are
paperless and over 23,700 tablets have been deployed to health workers.
Duale said that under the Primary Health Care (PHC) benefit,
Sh10 billion has been disbursed, with 56% of the disbursements to county
facilities, 36% to private and 7% to faith-based providers.
He further noted that SHA’s Provider Portal and Claims
System have improved transparency and efficiency.
“A new ERP system will soon digitize all SHA operations.”
