The Social Health Authority (SHA) has significantly expanded its annual cancer treatment cover from KSh550,000 to KSh800,000, marking a major step in strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system and reducing the financial burden faced by cancer patients and their families. The enhanced package reflects the government’s broader commitment to improving access to specialized healthcare under the Universal Health Coverage agenda and ensuring more Kenyans can receive lifesaving treatment without falling into financial distress.
The revised cancer benefits package now covers a wider range of oncology services, including oncology consultations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and advanced diagnostic procedures such as CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans. The expansion is expected to improve early diagnosis, treatment planning, and long-term management of cancer, which remains one of the leading causes of death in Kenya.
Patients will also benefit from access to more advanced and specialized treatment procedures under the revised package. These include Brachytherapy and advanced radiation therapies such as SBRT and SBRS, alongside supportive and palliative care services designed to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Health experts believe the expanded coverage could significantly increase survival rates through earlier and more comprehensive interventions.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the enhanced package is intended to shield families from catastrophic medical costs that often arise from prolonged cancer treatment. He noted that the increase demonstrates the government’s determination to strengthen public healthcare systems while expanding equitable access to specialized treatment for vulnerable patients across the country.
The reforms introduced under Legal Notice No. 78 of 2026 also include major improvements in maternal healthcare services. SHA beneficiaries will now access free maternity services at Level 2 and Level 3 primary healthcare facilities through a walk-in, walk-out arrangement. The government says the initiative will help remove financial barriers that prevent many expectant mothers from accessing safe and professional maternal care.
Under the new arrangement, both normal deliveries and caesarean section procedures will be fully financed through the Primary Healthcare Fund. The policy is expected to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates while strengthening Kenya’s broader safe motherhood agenda. The government believes the move will especially benefit low-income households and rural communities where access to affordable maternal healthcare remains limited.
The revised SHA package also strengthens support for patients living with sickle cell disease. Under the new framework, beneficiaries will access apheresis platelets at KSh20,000 and red cell exchange services at KSh70,000, with each procedure available up to three times during a policy period. Medical stakeholders say the changes will improve disease management and reduce complications associated with sickle cell conditions.
The expanded healthcare coverage signals a broader transformation within Kenya’s public health sector as the government seeks to improve affordability, accessibility, and quality of care. By increasing cancer coverage, enhancing maternal healthcare, and expanding support for chronic illnesses such as sickle cell disease, SHA is positioning itself as a critical pillar in delivering inclusive healthcare services and protecting Kenyan families from overwhelming medical expenses.
