Kisumu County has emerged as a frontrunner in the rollout of Kenya’s new Social Health Authority (SHA) program, earning high praise from Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale. Speaking at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), Duale commended the county’s efforts in registering a significant number of residents for the SHA, highlighting it as a model for the rest of the country.
The CS was in Kisumu to commission newly installed CT scan and mammography machines under the National Equipment Service Program (NESP), a key initiative aimed at enhancing diagnostic capacity in public health facilities.
Duale revealed that over 200,000 residents in Kisumu County have undergone means testing as part of the SHA enrollment process. He noted that the average contribution per household stood at Ksh 573, pointing to growing public confidence in the government’s universal health coverage agenda.
“The figures we’re seeing in Kisumu show that Kenyans are ready to support and benefit from the SHA if they are properly sensitized,” said Duale. He emphasized the need for increased public awareness to ensure that those registered are not only informed but also receive the full scope of benefits provided under the new health insurance scheme.
The Cabinet Secretary also urged citizens to be vigilant and report any instances of malpractice in the healthcare sector. He announced a toll-free number 147 that the public can use to report such concerns.
“The dignity of the patient must always come first. It supersedes the interests of the facility and even the healthcare workers,” Duale affirmed. He stressed that accountability and quality service delivery are critical pillars in the success of Kenya’s ongoing healthcare reforms.
As the government rolls out the SHA program across the country, Kisumu’s success story sets an example of how community engagement, government support, and healthcare investment can work hand-in-hand to achieve accessible and equitable healthcare for all.
