In a bold move to revamp Kenya’s healthcare system, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, has announced a series of transformative measures aimed at enhancing service delivery, financial accountability, and patient support within the sector. Speaking during a press briefing, CS Duale outlined his six-point pledge, which includes significant improvements in hospital claim settlements, patient care packages, and systemic efficiency.
Among the key announcements, the State Health Authority (SHA) will now settle hospital claims by the 14th of each month, ensuring smoother financial operations for healthcare providers. Additionally, effective immediately, rebates for ICU and High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds have been increased to Kshs. 28,000 per day. Cancer patients will also benefit from an enhanced oncology package of up to Kshs. 550,000 per person.
To address human resource challenges, the Ministry is committed to fast-tracking all pending human resource issues and collaborating with stakeholders to provide sustainable solutions. In an effort to strengthen the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), the government will work to improve its order fulfillment rate to 90%. This will be achieved through a recapitalization of Kshs. 1.5 billion from the supplementary budget, with additional negotiations underway to secure a credit facility of up to Kshs. 5 billion.
Furthermore, CS Duale assured that all system hitches affecting healthcare service delivery will be addressed to ensure efficiency and reliability. To enhance communication and support for patients and service providers, a fully operational 24/7 TaifaCare Call Center will be accessible via the toll-free number 147.
CS Duale reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for all Kenyans. “We are working tirelessly to eliminate inefficiencies and enhance service delivery in the health sector,” he stated. These reforms come amid growing concerns over delayed claim settlements, challenges in the supply of medical equipment, and the need for improved patient support services. Stakeholders in the health sector have welcomed the pledges, expressing optimism about their impact on healthcare delivery across the country.
I’ve formatted the article into paragraph form for better readability. Let me know if you need any further refinements!
