Cancer patients in Kenya are appealing to the government for intervention due to severe emotional and financial distress caused by delays and high costs under the new Social Health Authority (SHA). Representatives from the Kenya Network of Cancer Organisations (KENCO) highlighted these challenges before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health.

• KENCO director Phoebe Ongadi stated that the SHA has intensified emotional distress, with patients facing uncertainty over claim approvals and payment deadlines.
• Patients are reportedly forced to travel to Nairobi for basic clarifications due to confusion within the system.
• KENCO called for flexible payment options, arguing that annual premiums paid in one go are impractical, especially for patients in the informal sector.
• Concerns were also raised about the underfunded Primary Health Care Fund and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF), despite rising chronic illness cases.
• 70 percent of cancer cases in Kenya are diagnosed at advanced stages, with common cancers including breast, cervical, prostate, oesophageal, and colorectal.
• In October, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced plans for a flat-rate premium of Ksh 660 per month for vulnerable Kenyans.
• KENCO urged the government to include cancer patients and survivors in policy-making bodies to ensure better health reforms.

Kenyan teachers' unions and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) have agreed to transition to the new Social Health Authority (SHA) medical cover starting on December 1. This move aims to address past challenges with the previous medical scheme and improve healthcare access for teachers.

• A Joint Technical Committee has been established to oversee the transition, comprising representatives from the TSC, KNUT, KUPPET, KUSNET, KESSHA, and KEPSHA.
• The Acting TSC Chief Executive Officer, Evaleen Mitei, announced that the Commission has revamped its Medical Division to facilitate a smooth migration from the Minet-managed cover.
• The SHA scheme is expected to resolve issues such as limited provider networks, long preauthorization times, and inconsistent service quality, ensuring quality medical services for teachers and their dependents.

Kenya's National Assembly is finalizing the Transplant and Organ Donation Bill to combat organ trafficking. This development comes as Mediheal Hospital faces investigations into alleged organ harvesting and transplantation irregularities, with its owner refuting the claims.

• The Health Committee Chairperson, Seme MP James Nyikal, stated the Bill is under review by the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
• The proposed law aims to create a legal framework for organ donation, allowing individuals to decide organ recipients and increasing organ availability with strict penalties.
• Mediheal Hospital's Chief Consultant Nephrologist, Srinivas Murthy, and owner, former Kesses MP Swarup Mishra, denied wrongdoing during a meeting with MPs, attributing allegations to misinformation.
• Murthy clarified that Kenya only permits live kidney donations from relatives or close acquaintances, unlike countries with deceased donor programs.