The Social Health Authority (SHA) has upgraded its system, a move that will ensure hospital claims are processed by the 14th of each month.
According to the Government Spokesperson, Dr. Isaac Mwaura, the upgrading of the system will ease financial burdens for families, and he urged those who have not registered for SHA to do so to enable them enjoy the full benefits of Taifa Care.
The spokesperson, who was speaking during a press briefing at Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi on the measures the government is undertaking on various matters of national importance, announced that SHA has also boosted Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Unit daily rates from Sh4,480 to Sh28,000 and oncology coverage to Sh550,000 per patient.
“The government is in the process of rolling out daily payments to enable Kenyans who cannot afford lump sum payments do so,” he said.
Taifa care which covers outpatient and inpatient services, maternal and child health, emergency care, mental health services, chronic and critical illnesses such as cancer, hypertension and diabetes guarantees healthcare access for all Kenyans, regardless of income level or employment status.
Mwaura disclosed that to date over 19 million Kenyans have registered under Taifa Care up from 8 million under the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund, an increase of 146 percent.
“Out of these, 331,265 Kenyans were referred for diabetes treatment and 711,172 referred for hypertension checkups,” he stated.
The Government Spokesperson at the same time announced that the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Wajir County has deployed three mobile laboratories in Eldas and Wajir West for rapid testing for those unable to access hospitals to contain the Kala-azar disease in the county.
The Kala-azar disease has affected over 600 people and claimed 33 lives in the county since its outbreak in September 2024.
Mwaura said a satellite blood bank, equipped with a new blood analysis machine has been established to support critical care, noting that the satellite has significantly improved patient outcomes.
“The government continues to bolster resources and coordination to contain the spread of the disease,” he added.
Regarding the cholera disease that has been reported in three counties namely Nairobi, Kisumu and Migori that has seen six people succumb to the disease, Mwaura said the government has activated multi-sectoral Rapid Response Teams to curb the outbreak and intensified surveillance in all sub-counties and border areas with isolation facilities fully equipped with treatment guidelines, health care workers and medical supplies.
“The government urges the public to remain vigilant, adhere to health guidelines and report any symptoms to healthcare authorities,” directed Mwaura.
As public sensitization campaigns are going on, the government has distributed resources, among them medicines, laboratory kits, protective gears to frontline responders, water treatment chemicals, soap and hand washing stations to affected areas to contain the spread of the disease.
By Bernadette Khaduli and Rashid Naif
