Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale today led a high-profile visit to Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital (KUTRRH), where he assessed the facility’s progress under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Hosted by Senator Kembi Gitura, chair of the hospital’s Board of Directors, the CS held a consultative meeting with hospital leadership, receiving detailed updates on the hospital’s performance under the Social Health Authority (SHA) scheme compared to the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
Among the major shifts under SHA, costs for critical procedures have significantly increased:
- Open-heart surgery now stands at Ksh 952,000, up from Ksh 450,000
- Dialysis rose to Ksh 10,650 per session from Ksh 9,500
- PET/SPECT scans increased to Ksh 53,500, up from Ksh 50,000
Duale visited multiple key departments including the Cancer Centre Annex, CyberKnife suite, Transplant ICU, and Chemotherapy Unit, where he was briefed on the hospital’s achievements and resource gaps.
In a passionate appeal, KUTRRH management requested a budget increase from Ksh 100 million to Ksh 250 million for operationalizing the new Cancer Centre, Procurement of an additional LINAC machine, Stronger referral systems, and Timely SHA reimbursements to ensure service continuity
Celebrating a Medical Milestone
The CS took time to celebrate KUTRRH’s first successful kidney transplants, handing over certificates to the nurses involved during the commemoration of International Nurses Week 2025.
“This is a milestone not just for KUTRRH but for the nation. These nurses represent the backbone of our health system,” said Duale. “As we accelerate UHC implementation, professionalism and integrity must remain our guiding principles.”
CS Duale emphasized the need for strict compliance with legal and ethical standards, especially in procurement, staffing, and financial management.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the hospital’s UHC efforts through policy alignment, funding, and systemic oversight.
The SHA model, which replaced NHIF under the Taifa Care framework, is designed to increase transparency and efficiency in healthcare funding. However, the rising costs of services have raised eyebrows, with concerns mounting over the sustainability of coverage and the burden on patients.
The CS was accompanied by: Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health, Dr. Judith Awinja, Head of Nursing and Midwifery, Dr. Zeinab Gura, CEO of KUTRRH, and Dr. Onyimbo Kerama, Deputy Director Clinical Services
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