Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has defended proposed changes to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) regulations that would expand maternal health services and increase financial support for cancer patients.
Appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation on Thursday, Duale said the Tariffs for Healthcare Services (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, are intended to strengthen financial protection for households and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
The committee, chaired by Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya, is considering Legal Notice No. 78 of 2026, which seeks to revise healthcare tariffs and benefit packages under the Social Health Insurance framework.
A key proposal in the regulations is the introduction of a comprehensive maternity, neonatal and child health package under the Primary Healthcare Fund.
The package would provide antenatal care, delivery services, Caesarean sections, newborn care, immunisation, nutritional support and postnatal services for all registered beneficiaries, including those unable to meet their SHIF contribution obligations.
Under the proposal, normal deliveries would be reimbursed at Sh10,000, while Caesarean section deliveries would attract government support of up to Sh30,000.
Duale told senators the regulations are aimed at ensuring mothers and children can access essential healthcare services without facing financial hardship.
The proposed changes also seek to enhance cancer treatment support through the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF).
The annual support available for chronic cancer management would increase from Sh150,000 to Sh400,000 per patient.
According to the Health CS, when combined with existing SHIF benefits, eligible cancer patients would be able to access up to Sh800,000 annually for treatment.
The enhanced package covers consultations, chemotherapy administration, laboratory tests, radiotherapy, brachytherapy, PET scans, CT imaging and other specialised oncology services.
Duale said more than 43,000 patients have already benefited from the oncology package, with over 3,000 completing treatment under the expanded programme.
"The measures will advance Universal Health Coverage by reducing out-of-pocket expenditure, protecting families from catastrophic health costs and improving access to essential maternal and cancer care services," he told the committee.
The Cabinet Secretary said the amendments were developed through consultations involving healthcare professionals, county governments, civil society organisations, patient advocacy groups and members of the public.
He added that the reforms were informed by health technology assessments, actuarial reviews and recommendations from the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel.
During the session, Duale also updated senators on broader health sector reforms supporting implementation of the social health insurance programme.
He said the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority has achieved a 92 per cent facility fill rate, improving the availability of medicines and health commodities in public health facilities.
The CS also cited progress under the National Equipment Service Programme and announced that 11 IVF centres have been approved across the country to improve access to specialised reproductive health services.
Duale further told the committee that the Social Health Authority has settled 84 per cent of submitted claims, a move he said has strengthened healthcare financing and service delivery.
