Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to streamlining Kenya’s healthcare system by rooting out fraud and strengthening primary healthcare under the newly launched Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking at the Githogoro Grounds in Nairobi during the launch of the Measles-Rubella and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Campaign, CS Duale praised Community Health Promoters (CHPs) for their role in the SHA rollout. He announced that CHPs have already reached over 80,000 households, and assured them of timely stipend payments, recognizing their importance as first responders in primary healthcare.
In a firm stance against malpractice, Duale disclosed that the Ministry has shut down 1,400 private hospitals involved in fraudulent billing, illegal claims, and other unethical practices. He highlighted a shocking case involving a hospital owned by a sitting Member of Parliament that falsely claimed to perform more surgeries than Kenyatta National Hospital.
“We have hospitals claiming to do more surgeries than KNH. If we find you defrauding Kenyans, your licence will be cancelled. I don’t care who owns the facility,” he warned.
CS Duale emphasized that both public and private healthcare providers must uphold the integrity of the national health insurance system, stating that honesty is paramount, even if it means operating with fewer facilities.
“Even if we are left with 20 hospitals, but they are honest, we are better off than having 2,000 with corruption,” he said.
He urged Kenyans to report any malpractice, denial of service, or fraudulent activities using the toll-free *147# platform. Under SHA, registered members are entitled to free primary healthcare services at dispensaries, health centres, and sub-county hospitals.
To improve affordability, Duale announced the introduction of SHA Lipa Pole Pole, a flexible payment model allowing Kenyans to contribute gradually without financial strain. The government has allocated KSh 13 billion to ensure all citizens can access treatment in public health facilities.
“Our health system depends on integrity. CHPs are the heart of this system, and we will honour their work,” the CS concluded, urging public vigilance as SHA reforms take root.
