The Ministry of Health has strengthened its collaboration with faith-based health providers as part of efforts to accelerate the rollout of Taifa Care and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
In a consultative meeting held on Tuesday , Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale met with representatives from the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
The talks focused on the progress made in implementing key UHC pillars, with the CS acknowledging the critical role faith-based organizations (FBOs) continue to play in delivering healthcare, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
According to the Ministry, the Social Health Authority (SHA) has already onboarded more than 26.5 million Kenyans, marking a major step toward inclusive health coverage. On digitization, 3,386 facilities out of the targeted 6,500 have been connected to the Digital Health System, with FBO facilities receiving 100 gadgets and training support.
On human resources, the government has allocated Ksh. 6.1 billion for UHC employees, Ksh. 1.75 billion to clear doctors’ arrears, Ksh. 9.9 billion for intern payments, and Ksh. 3.2 billion to support Community Health Promoters. Meanwhile, KEMSA’s commodity supply has improved to a 70% fill rate, with a 90% target set for December 2025.
The SHA has also disbursed Ksh. 10 billion to the Primary Health Care Fund and Ksh. 59.3 billion to the Social Health Insurance Fund. In addition, the CS revealed that a request of Ksh. 5.4 billion has been made to the Treasury to clear legacy NHIF debts under Ksh. 10 million, in line with a presidential directive.
The meeting agreed on several action points to enhance service delivery, including:
- A visit by CS Duale to MEDS and the launch of new CT scan machines at Tenwek and Dreamlands Hospitals in the coming weeks.
- Deployment of SHA relationship managers to hospitals, alongside joint clinics to streamline claims and service delivery.
- Processing of all claims on a “first-in, first-out” basis within 90 days.
- Submission of a list of remote FBO facilities for support in digitization.
- Sensitization of the public on SHA through churches and mosques, including setting up registration desks.
- Quarterly review meetings to track progress.
Faith-based leaders welcomed the government’s commitment, noting that many of their earlier concerns are being addressed.
They pledged to continue supporting the rollout of Taifa Care to ensure that even the most marginalized communities have access to quality healthcare.
