The Ministry of Health is set to implement a new biometric identification and verification system designed to link patients and hospital staff directly to the Social Health Authority (SHA) claims processing system. This strategic move is intended to enhance efficiency in service delivery and tighten controls against fraudulent claims within the public health insurance framework.
The newly introduced system aims to address long-standing issues in health insurance claims by ensuring that only verified patients and hospital personnel access and process claims. The technology will provide secure authentication at the point of service, enabling faster and more accurate reimbursement processes. By automating identification, the Ministry expects to significantly reduce the turnaround time for healthcare access and eliminate loopholes previously exploited for financial gain.
This development comes against the backdrop of a recent crackdown on healthcare fraud, which saw the closure of 35 private hospitals across several counties. Investigations revealed that the affected facilities were involved in fraudulent practices such as double billing, misrepresentation of patient care levels, and the use of falsified documents for accreditation. In one instance, a hospital with only 14 beds falsely claimed a capacity of 100 to inflate reimbursement claims.
The biometric verification system is a direct response to these findings, aimed at safeguarding public funds and restoring integrity in health services. With SHA being a flagship initiative under the current administration, the Ministry has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the programme delivers quality, accessible healthcare to all Kenyans without falling prey to systemic abuse.
Beyond fraud prevention, the biometric rollout is expected to streamline interactions between healthcare facilities and the Social Health Authority. This includes eliminating paperwork bottlenecks, improving claim traceability, and offering real-time verification during service delivery. Hospitals will now be required to authenticate both staff and patients biometrically before any claim is processed, creating an additional layer of accountability.
This bold reform reflects the government’s broader digitization agenda in public service and reaffirms its zero-tolerance policy toward corruption in the healthcare sector. By leveraging modern technology, the Ministry is taking a proactive stance to protect taxpayer funds, improve efficiency, and build trust in the country’s evolving health insurance system.
