Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced that the government has engaged the United States to strengthen health systems, with a particular focus on digitisation and curbing fraud at the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In a statement on Wednesday, August 27, Duale said he met with a US delegation led by Chargé d’Affaires Susan Burns, alongside Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, where a wide range of health priorities were discussed.
"Together with my colleague, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Hon. John Mbadi, we engaged the US government delegation led by Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Susan Burns on sustainable health financing, stronger health systems and new areas of collaboration," he stated.
Duale noted that the discussions revolved around key reform areas aimed at safeguarding the health infrastructure and ensuring sustainability.
"Key focus areas included the Global Health Security (GHS) framework, where Kenya is a priority partner, digitisation of health systems, sustainable health supply chains and reforms to eliminate quackery and curb the Social Heath Authority (SHA) fraud," he added.
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Duale also highlighted the partnership between Kenya and the United States in combating diseases such as malaria and HIV.
"We celebrated the historic US–Kenya partnership in malaria, HIV and disease surveillance and agreed to establish a Joint Technical Working Group to deepen cooperation and strengthen Kenya's health systems under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) Taifa Care model," he concluded.
At the same time, President William Ruto has affirmed that SHA will succeed despite mounting challenges and fraud allegations that have recently rocked the health insurance program.
Speaking at State House on Wednesday, where he hosted grassroots leaders from Kiambu County, he acknowledged the system's teething problems while expressing confidence in its eventual success.
"SHA must work, and it will work," he declared.
Ruto added that the government is implementing digital solutions to address systemic weaknesses that plagued the previous NHIF system.
"We are also digitising our health system to seal the loopholes that crippled the defunct NHIF, ensuring that the new Social Health Authority (SHA) delivers on its mandate.
"We solemnly committed to the people of Kenya to transform our nation. We proudly report that this promise is no longer a dream; it is unfolding in healthcare, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and employment, among others," he added.
Notably, the affirmation comes a day after Duale dismissed media reports linking SHA to fraudulent payments and insider dealings.
Responding to a headline by a local newspaper on Monday, August 25, which alleged massive payouts to hospitals associated with government officials, Duale claimed the coverage was part of an attempt to derail reforms.
The outspoken CS insisted that the government will not be distracted from its mission to overhaul the healthcare system.
"No amount of propaganda or blackmail will deter us from fixing our healthcare system. We know saboteurs of SHA have recruited several groups, including some sections of the media, to advance their agenda. Let them be warned: We are fixing this thing regardless of the noise.
"Our work has just begun. We will not rest until every Kenyan has access to quality, affordable, and dignified healthcare, free from the burden of fraud," he said.
