Cancer patients to benefit from Sh550,000 annual coverage under SHA-Duale

Cancer patients in Kenya will now receive up to Sh550,000 annually for their treatment under the Social Health Authority (SHA) programme, a move aimed at easing the financial burden of battling the disease.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that from April 1, 2025, all cancer patients registered with SHA will be able to access this funding, which will be drawn from two sources: the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF).

“We are thrilled to announce that additional funding has been allocated to enhance the benefits available for patients in need of cancer diagnosis and treatment services. Each patient will now have access to up to Sh550,000 per year, specifically designed to support their treatment journey,” Duale said.

Under this framework, Sh400,000 will be available through SHIF, while an extra Sh150,000 will come from ECCIF.

In addition to cancer treatment, the government has raised reimbursements for intensive care unit (ICU) and high dependency unit (HDU) services.

The daily reimbursement rate has been increased from Sh4,480 to Sh28,000.

Duale emphasized that this adjustment reflects the government’s dedication to ensuring that critical healthcare services are accessible and well-funded.

He noted that patients would receive care from contracted providers to maintain high-quality service delivery.

“This change underscores our commitment to ensuring that essential healthcare services are accessible and adequately supported,” said the Health CS.

While the new healthcare funding promises relief for many patients, concerns remain over the effectiveness of SHA’s implementation.

The programme, which was rolled out on October 1, 2024, has faced criticism over out-of-pocket payments, system inefficiencies, and limited coverage.

Many Kenyans have voiced frustrations over difficulties in accessing care under the new system, raising questions about its functionality and whether it meets the needs of the public.

Despite these challenges, the government maintains that expanding healthcare coverage, especially for cancer patients and critical care services, is a crucial step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage.