Kenya’s push to strengthen its public health system has reached a new milestone, with 28 million citizens now registered under the Social Health Insurance (SHA) programme.
The update came from Health Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga during a Tuesday interview on Spice FM, where he outlined the government’s broader strategy to expand access to affordable care while anchoring economic growth.
Dr Oluga said the reforms are designed to ensure that medical treatment does not push households into financial hardship, a challenge long associated with the country’s out-of-pocket health spending.
He noted that the government views health as a driver of national productivity, echoing commitments made under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda first outlined during the previous administration and retained as a priority in the current one.
Speaking during the broadcast, the PS credited recent improvements in service delivery to ongoing upgrades in public facilities.
He said the ministry has been equipping hospitals with modern medical technologies to reduce delays and enhance diagnosis and treatment across counties.
According to Dr Oluga, these interventions have contributed to a more stable health workforce, with no ongoing strikes and improved satisfaction among doctors and nurses.
The PS linked the continuity of these reforms to Kenya’s international partnerships, including the health cooperation deal between Nairobi and Washington.
He described the agreement as an essential source of resources that will help sustain UHC operations, support infrastructure upgrades, and reinforce the financial base for long-term health sector planning.
Kenya’s health financing journey has historically faced hurdles, from the challenges of managing the former NHIF system to the uneven distribution of medical equipment in earlier rollouts.
The SHA model is intended to address these long-standing gaps by expanding the insurance pool and establishing structured funding for preventive, primary, and critical care services.
However, the government argues that strong political backing and renewed administrative reforms will help push the programme forward.
Dr Oluga concluded that the ministry is focused on consolidating recent gains and ensuring that quality care is accessible in all regions.
He maintained that continued funding—both domestic and through bilateral agreements—will be central to keeping the health system functional, stable, and responsive to the needs of Kenyans.