Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale appeared before the National Assembly to address legislators on emerging health matters affecting the country. The plenary session, presided over by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, focused on updates from the Ministry of Health regarding the progress of key healthcare programmes and reforms.
In his report, the CS outlined the implementation of the Cancer Benefit Package under the Social Health Authority (SHA), managed through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). The package supports patients through the entire continuum of cancer care—from diagnosis and staging to treatment and palliative services. To enhance access and equity, the SHA has removed restrictions on treatment cycles within the annual benefit cap. Currently, 140 facilities have been contracted to provide cancer services, with over 33,000 patients benefiting. A total of KES 5.8 billion has been paid in claims, while an additional KES 774.6 million is under processing.
The CS further revealed that SHA has recommended increasing the oncology package limit to KES 1 million per beneficiary, up from the current KES 550,000. This amount is currently funded jointly by SHIF and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF). The proposal aims to strengthen financial protection for cancer patients and reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
On labour matters, Duale addressed the recent doctors’ strike in Kiambu County, noting that the Ministry has engaged both national and county stakeholders to restore industrial harmony. A National Return-to-Work Framework has since been signed, ensuring the resumption of medical services across the country.
The CS also highlighted Kenya’s achievements in tuberculosis control, noting a 41% reduction in TB incidence and a 65% decline in related deaths since 2015. Drug-resistant TB cases have fallen by nearly half, leading to Kenya’s removal from the World Health Organization’s high-burden list in 2020.
Additionally, Duale reaffirmed the Government’s plan to settle all pending bills owed to health facilities under the former NHIF. The first tranche of KES 5.3 billion will prioritise hospitals owed between KES 1 million and KES 10 million.
He announced that over 1.8 million Kenyans from the informal sector have joined the new Taifa Care health programme through the Lipa SHA Pole Pole platform. The CS reiterated the Government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage and ensuring every Kenyan has access to affordable, quality healthcare.
