Kisumu: More than 800 county health facilities across Kenya are at risk of missing out on Social Health Authority (SHA) reimbursements for operating without valid licenses, Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga has warned. Speaking in Kisumu during a meeting of County Chief Officers for Health on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms, Dr. Oluga said 819 county facilities have yet to secure licenses from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), rendering them ineligible for SHA empanelment and funding.
According to Kenya News Agency, the licensing gap is undermining the government’s efforts to expand Universal Health Coverage (UHC), despite significant progress made since the rollout of the Social Health Authority. Dr. Oluga highlighted that as of June 8, KMPDC had registered 6,834 county health facilities, but only 6,015 hold valid operating licenses, leaving 819 facilities operating without licenses. This situation represents lost revenue for counties and poses a patient access and safety issue.
Dr. Oluga directed counties to collaborate with KMPDC to ensure all facilities are licensed by July 31, emphasizing that no Kenyan should be turned away or charged because counties have not licensed their facilities. The warning came as the Ministry of Health highlighted gains made under the government’s UHC programme.
SHA has registered 31.39 million Kenyans, contracted 11,034 health facilities, disbursed Sh.147.37 billion in claims, and financed 1,166,144 safe deliveries since October 2024. Dr. Oluga stated that the focus has shifted from legislation and policy development to service delivery, with counties expected to play a central role in translating reforms into better patient outcomes.
He praised counties for supporting health reforms and maintaining services despite challenges, including disruptions caused by changes in donor funding arrangements. Maternal health was singled out as a key priority under the government’s Every Woman Every Newborn (EWENE) initiative, aiming to reduce maternal mortality by 80 per cent by 2028. SHA has already spent more than Sh. 17 billion on maternity services, and an additional Sh. 4.2 billion has been provided by the National Treasury to sustain maternal healthcare services.
The PS revealed that the government has supplied maternity equipment to 638 facilities and is training healthcare workers to improve emergency obstetric care and promote respectful maternal care. He also raised concern over blood shortages, calling on county governments to strengthen donor mobilisation, staffing, and blood storage systems.
The meeting reviewed progress in immunisation, noting that Kenya had recorded its first year in 16 years without vaccine shortages. National SHA enrolment stands at about 66 per cent, but disparities remain among counties. Dr. Oluga urged health workers to educate the public about SHA benefits and registration procedures.
He directed counties to complete the absorption of UHC staff into permanent employment by July 1 and deploy dedicated SHA claims officers in Level Four hospitals and above. Addressing concerns over the recent Ebola outbreak, Dr. Oluga assured Kenyans of the country’s preparedness, citing World Health Organization assessments.
The Kisumu meeting is expected to adopt resolutions on facility licensing, blood mobilisation, digitisation of health services, SHA claims management, and the transition of UHC workers as the government pushes to accelerate implementation of Universal Health Coverage across all 47 counties.
