The Ministry of Health has announced sweeping reforms under the Taifa Care programme, setting out new measures to strengthen collaboration with private providers and streamline healthcare financing and service delivery.
The announcement followed a high-level consultative forum that brought together private healthcare providers, regulators, and sector agencies.
The meeting was attended by the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Digital Health Agency (DHA), and healthcare regulators.
Health CS Aden Duale said the government recognises the vital role of private facilities in the health system confirming that the government is addressing financial bottlenecks by clearing pending debts.
“I have written to the national treasury to secure Sh5.4 billion in the supplementary budget to settle legacy NHIF debts below Sh10 million, in line with the presidential directive. Both the ministry and the consortium of private healthcare facilities acknowledged progress made and pledged continued partnership to resolve outstanding challenges for the benefit of all Kenyans,” he said.
“Private providers complement government healthcare efforts.”
The CS noted that the meeting was the first in a series of nationwide forums that will take place across all counties. It brought together 176 private providers from seven counties including Kajiado, Machakos, Embu, Kiambu, Nairobi, Nyeri, and Kirinyaga.
He said the forums aim to ensure open dialogue, transparency, and shared solutions to improve the rollout of Taifa Care.
Key discussions focused on financing, claims management, and digitization reforms.
The Ministry addressed issues that have long frustrated providers, including claim processing delays, lack of transparency, and fraud.
Duale cautioned providers against common mistakes that lead to rejected claims that include missing records, incomplete discharge summaries, late submissions, and misclassification of medical procedures.
He also warned against capacity violations describing cases where facilities render services beyond their licensed scope.
They agreed that SHA will appoint dedicated relationship managers to support private providers.
A Joint Taifa Care One-Stop Shop will also be established at
SHA Headquarters and Huduma Centres.
The desk will bring together SHA, DHA, and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to address provider issues in one place.
Fraud prevention was highlighted as a top priority, CS Duale said the new system enhancements will go live immediately, including artificial intelligence engines to detect fraud patterns.
He said SHA will also align strictly with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) by only reimbursing drugs listed in the PPB drug catalogue.
This measure, he said, is designed to ensure that patients receive only approved medicines under Taifa Care.
The Ministry announced that quarterly progress meetings will be held to track reforms and sustain dialogue with providers.
Earlier this week, the Ministry also met with Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), including the Christian Health Association of Kenya.
The CS reiterated that both private facilities and FBOs remain central partners in the County-to-County rollout of Taifa Care.
