SHA seeks licensed overseas hospitals to treat Kenyan patients abroad. The Social Health Authority put out a notice on December 31, 2025, inviting foreign medical facilities to apply. They want providers who can handle specialised treatments not available in Kenya.
This step helps people covered by the Social Health Insurance Fund, or SHIF, and the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund. Many Kenyans need advanced care for things like certain cancers, rare surgeries, or complex paediatric cases. Local hospitals have improved a lot, but some procedures still require going overseas.
The authority set clear rules for interested hospitals. They must have proper accreditation in their own country. Kenyan regulators need to recognise them too.
Each overseas provider has to partner with a high-level Kenyan hospital, rated Level V or VI under the national health package. That ensures patients get follow-up care when they return home.
Applications go through the SHA website or other official channels. Hospitals need to submit documents like proof of registration, a list of costs for services, and details about their doctors’ licences.
There is a 14-day deadline from the notice date for the first round. But the process stays open. SHA plans to add more providers over time and publish the approved list in the Kenya Gazette and on their site.
SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi said the goal is fair access to life-saving care. Covered costs include tests, the treatment itself, stays in hospital, transfers if needed, and even accommodation during recovery.
For SHIF members, only treatments on an approved list qualify. That list comes from a panel that checks what Kenya lacks. Public officers under the other scheme might get extra options after negotiation.
This builds on changes from earlier in 2025. Back in August and September, the government paused overseas approvals to fix issues. Some people abused the old system, sending patients abroad for things that could be done here. Others went to unverified hospitals.
Now, everything runs through contracted facilities. There is also a cap on payments, around Sh500,000 per case in some reports, though rates get negotiated.
Patients have faced challenges during the transition. Some got stuck abroad waiting for approvals. Families raised money on their own. Doctors worried about delays costing lives. But officials say the new setup brings accountability and better quality.
Kenya has made strides in health services. Things like kidney transplants, open-heart operations, and advanced scans happen locally now. That reduces the need for travel. Still, gaps remain for rare or highly technical cases.
Hospitals in places like India have treated many Kenyans over the years. Costs there are often lower than in Europe or the US. This invitation could bring in providers from various countries, giving more choices.
People registered with SHA should check if their contributions are up to date. Referrals start with local doctors. Then a review confirms the need. Pre-approval comes before travel.
The move fits into bigger efforts for universal health coverage. More Kenyans have signed up for SHA since it replaced the old fund. Enrolment targets keep growing.
For hospitals abroad, this opens a new market. They deal directly with SHA for payments. No more chasing patients or families. SHA now vows to handle all payments for patients going abroad to their approved SHA facilities.
As the list of approved providers grows, patients might find the process smoother. SHA promises updates on their website.
This development starts 2026 on a positive note for healthcare access. It balances building local capacity with helping those who need specialist help elsewhere. Families dealing with serious illnesses watch closely.
