Kenya Takes Major Step Towards UHC with New Public-Private Health Partnership
In a significant milestone for Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, the Social Health Authority (SHA) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH), to provide subsidized kidney and heart surgeries at no out-of-pocket cost to eligible patients.
The agreement was officially signed today at the Aga Khan University campus in Nairobi by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and AKUH CEO Rashid Khalani, and witnessed by the University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin.
“This partnership marks a turning point in our UHC journey,” said CS Duale. “We are eliminating financial barriers for life-saving procedures like kidney transplants and cardiac surgeries. No Kenyan should be denied care because of cost.”
Under the deal, SHA will vet and approve eligible patients, covering up to KSh 700,000 for procedures and post-operative care. AKUH will provide the surgeries and aftercare, maintain detailed patient records, and submit regular progress and outcome reports to SHA.
Making his remarks AKUH’s CEO Khalani stated “This collaboration reflects our mission to provide equitable healthcare. We are committed to offering world-class treatment to vulnerable Kenyans with dignity and compassion.” said Khalani.
The partnership leverages AKUH’s Patient Welfare Program to cover additional costs for patients who qualify through SHA’s means testing, ensuring even greater access for low-income families.
SHA, established under the Social Health Insurance Act, continues to reform Kenya’s healthcare system through the Social Health Insurance Fund, already enrolling millions and accrediting over 3,000 healthcare providers.
The agreement builds on these efforts, marking a bold shift toward public-private partnerships as a solution to rising healthcare costs and increasing non-communicable diseases.
“This is not just a partnership it’s a promise,” said Duale. “A promise that no Kenyan will have to travel abroad or fall into poverty to access life-saving care.”
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By Sharon Atieno
