Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Deborah Barasa on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, announced a raft of changes aimed at transforming the country’s health sector.
Speaking during a meda briefing, CS Barasa, who has found herself at the centre of the heightened criticism over the failures of the Social Health Authority (SHA) announced that SHA will start disclosing payments to health facilities next week in a move aimed at promoting transparency.
“To promote transparency, the Social Health Authority (SHA) will begin publicly disclosing payments to health facilities next week. The Ministry has also launched a Claims Tracking Dashboard to speed up payments, with nationwide training underway to help health providers streamline claim submissions.
“By the end of March 2025, 15 high-volume hospitals will join the Health Information Exchange (HIE) system, improving efficiency through seamless patient data sharing. Additionally, a 24-hour Call Center is being established to assist Kenyans with healthcare access, registration, and claims tracking,” a statement shared by the health ministry reads in parts.
Reforms
The CS emphasized the government’s commitment to enhance the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) announcing that the ministry has introduced key reforms under Taifa Care.
She also announced a new health care financing model that will see payments to facilities being based on actual number of patients served rather than insurance status.
While acknowledging the model, the CS highlighted its significance stating that it will ensure fairness, efficiency, and accountability.
“This ensures fairness, efficiency, and accountability, with primary healthcare services now fully tax-funded,” she added.
At the same time, Barasa reiterated the importance of Taifa Care terming it Kenya’s most ambitious health program and called on stakeholders to support it.
She additionally revealed that the ministry will finalize the Means Testing Model (MTM) by Friday, March 7, 2025, to ensure financial support for vulnerable groups.
“Dr. Barasa also announced expanded health benefits, including a sixfold increase in ICU/HDU coverage from KES 4,600 to KES 28,000, and an increase in oncology care coverage from KES 400,000 to KES 550,000 per household,” the statement added.
Further, the CS reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring Taifa Care transforms Kenya’s healthcare system, making quality healthcare accessible to all.
