The Social Health Authority (SHA) has introduced biometric fingerprint identification for registered child dependants aged between seven and 17 years in a move aimed at strengthening beneficiary verification and reducing fraud in the provision of healthcare services.
In a public notice issued Tuesday, July 7, SHA said the new system will require children within the age bracket to have their fingerprints captured whenever they visit a SHA-contracted healthcare facility for treatment.
According to the authority, the fingerprint will be used to confirm the identity of the child and ensure that healthcare services are accessed only by the rightful beneficiary.
"SHA has introduced fingerprint identification for registered child dependants aged 7 to 17 years," the authority said.
"The child's fingerprint will be captured at a SHA-contracted healthcare provider when the child visits for treatment. It will be used to identify the child and confirm that the correct beneficiary is receiving care."
SHA said parents or legal guardians must give consent before a child's fingerprint is captured.
The authority explained that where fingerprint verification is not possible, healthcare facilities will instead verify beneficiaries using the contributor's identification number together with a One-Time Password (OTP).
"Parents or guardians are required to give consent for the fingerprint to be captured," the notice states.
SHA assured beneficiaries that all biometric information collected under the programme will be handled securely and in accordance with Kenya's data protection laws.
"The child's information will be handled securely in line with the Data Protection Act, 2019," the authority said.
It added that the biometric verification system is supported by the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, and Regulation 38 of the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024.
The rollout is expected to improve the accuracy of beneficiary identification while helping curb cases of impersonation and misuse of medical benefits under the national health insurance programme.
Since replacing the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), SHA has continued to introduce digital systems aimed at improving service delivery, enhancing accountability and ensuring health benefits reach eligible beneficiaries.
The authority urged parents and guardians to cooperate with healthcare providers during the implementation of the new system and encouraged anyone seeking clarification to contact its toll-free customer care line, 147.
The biometric programme takes effect immediately and will be implemented across all SHA-contracted healthcare facilities nationwide as children seek treatment.
