New Health Reforms to Provide Comprehensive Healthcare Benefits for Civil Servants and Introduce Digital Health Identity for Children Aged 7–17 Years in Push for Universal Health Coverage.
NAIROBI, Kenya – Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale has launched an enhanced medical insurance package for public officers while officially expanding the Social Health Authority (SHA) biometric registration programme to include children aged between 7 and 17 years.
The twin reforms mark a major milestone in Kenya’s ongoing efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through improved healthcare access, digital transformation, and stronger accountability within the health sector.
Speaking during the signing ceremony of the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) contracts, CS Duale said the enhanced medical cover follows successful negotiations with private and faith-based healthcare providers across the country.
The agreements involve accredited Level 3 to Level 6 healthcare facilities, creating a wider network of service providers where public officers and their dependents can access quality medical care.
Public Officers to Access Expanded Healthcare Benefits
Under the new medical scheme, eligible public officers and their families will benefit from a comprehensive healthcare package covering a wide range of services.
The enhanced package includes:
- Outpatient and inpatient medical services
- Specialized surgeries
- Cancer treatment and oncology services
- Renal dialysis
- Dental and optical care
- Overseas medical referrals
- Reproductive health services, including In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
CS Duale said the new framework is designed to provide public servants with reliable access to healthcare while reducing financial barriers when seeking treatment.
He emphasized that with approved tariffs now in place, beneficiaries should not be subjected to unauthorized additional payments for services already covered under the scheme.
Warning Against Illegal Charges by Health Facilities
The Health CS warned healthcare facilities against imposing illegal charges on beneficiaries under the new medical scheme.
He stated that any facility found demanding unauthorized payments would face strict action, including possible suspension from the programme and reimbursement of affected beneficiaries.
CS Duale said the government remains committed to protecting public officers and ensuring that healthcare providers adhere to agreed service standards.
SHA Biometric Registration Expanded to Children
During the event, CS Duale also announced the expansion of SHA biometric registration to children aged 7 to 17 years, describing the move as a major step towards creating a fully integrated national health identification system.
The initiative builds on the ongoing adult biometric registration programme, which has already seen the deployment of more than 8,000 biometric scanners and 42,000 digital devices across public health facilities nationwide.
According to the CS, extending biometric registration to children will strengthen patient identification, eliminate duplication of records, improve access to medical information, and enhance efficiency in healthcare delivery.
The system will enable healthcare providers to accurately identify patients, access reliable medical records and make informed clinical decisions.
Digital Transformation at the Centre of Health Reforms
CS Duale said the biometric programme is part of the broader digital transformation agenda being implemented through the Digital Health Agency.
The initiative aims to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency across Kenya’s healthcare system while building a modern digital health ecosystem that serves all citizens.
The government expects digital health systems to reduce administrative challenges, improve patient experience, prevent misuse of healthcare resources and strengthen planning through accurate health data.
New Era for Public Healthcare Services
The signing of the POMSF Implementation Charter and adoption of the new tariff framework officially marked the transition of the medical scheme from negotiations into full implementation.
The government said the reforms will guarantee smoother access to healthcare services for public officers and their dependents while supporting Kenya’s wider goal of achieving affordable and accessible healthcare for all.
With expanded medical benefits and increased use of biometric technology, the Ministry of Health says the country is moving closer towards a healthcare system that is more secure, efficient and responsive to the needs of every Kenyan.
