Health Cabinet Secretary has urged the Social Health Authority (SHA) Board to intensify efforts in fraud detection, enhance oversight of healthcare providers, and establish strong performance monitoring systems. These measures are aimed at bolstering public confidence and ensuring the effective implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Addressing the SHA Board during a high-level meeting at the Authority’s Nairobi headquarters, the CS stressed the importance of transparent, ethical, and citizen-centered governance. He emphasized that the decisions made by the board carry wide-reaching implications for all Kenyans ranging from expectant mothers in rural counties to elderly citizens seeking critical care in urban centers. The goal, he noted, is to build a healthcare financing system that is not only efficient and sustainable but also one that commands public trust.
The CS outlined three strategic pillars for SHA’s continued progress. First, he emphasized the necessity of adhering strictly to the 5% ceiling on administrative expenditures to ensure financial discipline. Second, he called for the deployment of comprehensive audit systems to safeguard the integrity of the healthcare system. Third, he urged the board to offer transformative leadership that will shape the long-term institutional trajectory of SHA.
He further tasked the board with ensuring timely processing and payment of claims while also mobilizing adequate and sustainable revenue streams to support the continuity of the TaifaCare programme an initiative central to the UHC rollout. The CS noted that the effectiveness of the board’s oversight mechanisms would be a major determinant of TaifaCare’s success or failure.
Highlighting the threat posed by fraud, he cautioned that fraudulent practices represent the most significant risk to the sustainability of the healthcare system. He encouraged the board to be vigilant and take decisive action to safeguard resources allocated for healthcare services. “Protecting every shilling intended for health services is not optional it is a responsibility owed to every Kenyan,” he stated.
The meeting underscored the critical role of SHA in shaping Kenya’s healthcare future. The emphasis on transparent operations, rigorous auditing, and efficient financial management reflects a broader commitment to delivering quality healthcare services under UHC. With continued collaboration between leadership and oversight bodies, the vision of universal, equitable, and high-quality healthcare becomes increasingly attainable.
The leadership of SHA affirmed their readiness to implement the guidance provided and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the success of the UHC agenda.
