Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga on Friday 7 confirmed that the Social Health Authority (SHA) has started paying for life-saving procedures, including organ transplants, surgeries, and intensive care unit (ICU) treatments.

“In just the last month, patients have begun receiving covered services. Transplants are being paid for, surgeries are ongoing, and we’ve enhanced ICU care packages to ensure no one is left behind,” said Dr. Oluga.

The SHA, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), is part of Kenya’s broader universal health coverage reforms. Its mandate includes ensuring that all Kenyans, regardless of income, can access essential medical services without facing financial hardship.

“We have enhanced the ICU package from KSh4,000 to KSh28,000 per day and that of cancer from KSh300,000 to KSh550,000, and there are so many Kenyans being served accordingly,” Oluga noted.

Dr. Oluga also highlighted that the shift from insurance to a pooled health financing model is already showing tangible benefits, especially for patients in critical care, with the first transplant surgery having been done in Kenyatta Teaching and Referral Hospital (KNH).

“This is a game-changer for families that previously had to raise millions to access transplant or intensive care services,” he added.

The Ministry of Health has also prioritised the rollout of the SHA in phases, beginning with high-cost treatments and emergency care, with plans to expand coverage to outpatient and preventive services in the coming months.

Healthcare workers and public hospitals have welcomed the move, saying it reduces bottlenecks in treatment approvals and ensures patients can be treated faster.

The government is now urging Kenyans to register for SHA coverage through local health facilities or online platforms, noting that it is key to achieving equitable health for all.