By Dorothy Musyoka
The Ministry of Health has introduced key reforms under the Taifa Care program, a move towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kenya.
Speaking during a media briefing, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, unveiled a new healthcare financing model aimed at ensuring fairness, efficiency and accountability in healthcare service delivery.
According to Dr.Barasa, under the new model, payments to health facilities will now be based on the actual number of patients served rather than insurance status.
“This ensures fairness, efficiency, and accountability, with primary healthcare services now fully tax-funded,” she stated.
To ensure equitable access to healthcare, the Ministry will finalize the Means Testing Model (MTM) by Friday, March 7, 2025.
This model will identify and provide financial support to vulnerable groups, ensuring no Kenyan is left behind in accessing quality healthcare services.
In a bid to promote accountability, the Social Health Authority (SHA) will begin publicly disclosing payments to health facilities.
Additionally, the Ministry has launched a Claims Tracking Dashboard to expedite payments to hospitals and health providers.
Nationwide training is already underway to help healthcare providers streamline claim submissions and improve service delivery.
She also announced that by the end of March 2025, 15 high-volume hospitals will be integrated into the Health Information Exchange (HIE) system, allowing seamless sharing of patient data to enhance efficiency and reduce duplication of services.
To further support Kenyans, the Ministry is also establishing a 24-hour Call Center, providing assistance with healthcare access, registration, and claims tracking.
Dr. Barasa announced significant improvements in health coverage under Taifa Care. The reforms include:
- A sixfold increase in ICU/HDU coverage from KES 4,600 to KES 28,000 per patient.
- Oncology care coverage increased from KES 400,000 to KES 550,000 per household, enhancing cancer treatment accessibility.
Reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to healthcare transformation, Dr. Barasa urged all stakeholders to support Taifa Care, emphasizing its role in making quality healthcare accessible and affordable for all Kenyans.