Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale appeared before the National Assembly, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, to address concerns raised by Members of Parliament regarding the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and broader challenges in the health sector.
In his presentation, CS Duale reported significant progress in the implementation of SHA, revealing that 21.3 million Kenyans have already registered. He noted that the new health benefits package under SHA is more inclusive and equitable than the former National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) scheme.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasized the importance of public awareness campaigns to boost registration and understanding of SHA services.
He also acknowledged persistent challenges in health sector regulation, vowing to enforce higher standards and eliminate unqualified medical practitioners from the system.
Duale highlighted ongoing investments in primary and community health facilities, saying they are crucial to decongesting referral hospitals and improving access and turnaround times for patients across the country.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to delivering affordable, accessible healthcare for all Kenyans under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework and aligning reforms with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The CS was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Public Health, Ms. Mary Muthoni, Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, and other senior Ministry officials, signaling the government’s unified focus on transforming the health sector.
Duale assured Parliament of continued transparency and accountability in the rollout of the Taifa Care Model, promising a health system that works for every Kenyan.
