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Speaking to Radio Generation on Wednesday, SHA Assistant Director for Registration and Compliance Dr Gilbert Osoro said the authority had more than 10,000 empanelled and contracted healthcare providers across the country, allowing members to access services through the expanded health financing system
Speaking after the signing ceremony on Wednesday, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale described the agreement as a milestone in Kenya-US relations, saying the implementation phase had officially begun.
Records show that 550 patients missed out on treatment after the hospital’s CyberKnife unit, the only public one in the country, carried out 250 radiation sessions in the year ending June 2025 against a planned 800
The package would cover antenatal care, delivery services, Caesarean sections, newborn care, immunisation, nutritional support and postnatal care for all registered beneficiaries, including those unable to consistently remit SHIF contributions.
MPs noted that the shift from the National Health Insurance Fund to the Social Health Authority has created new challenges for cancer patients, especially in accessing consistent and affordable treatment. The House was told that Kenya records about 44,000 new cancer cases every year, with over 29,000 deaths, with breast, cervical, and prostate cancers being the most common.
Kenya is expanding cancer care beyond Nairobi with new regional centres, but experts warn specialist shortages, costly radiotherapy and rising cases still strain the health system nationwide.
SHA acknowledged the challenges raised by patients and caregivers, noting that many families continue to face heavy financial and emotional burdens. The Authority pledged to strengthen partnerships and transparency in financing mechanisms to ensure equitable access to care.
The SHA package includes a wide range of services for cancer patients, from screening and diagnosis to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, imaging, laboratory tests, and palliative care