SHA Clarifies Cancer Care Approval Process After Daily Nation Report
Cancer patients paid the same premium, but phone calls allegedly unlocked extra approvals for some, forcing others into painful out-of-pocket spending...
✨ Key Highlights
The Social Health Authority (SHA) has responded to a Daily Nation report alleging favoritism in cancer care approvals. SHA insists its oncology approval process is fully automated and denies claims of unequal treatment despite inconsistencies in patient approvals and concerns raised by medical experts.
- SHA stated on Tuesday, January 20, that approvals are generated automatically based on Legal Notice No. 56.
- The Daily Nation highlighted two breast cancer patients who paid the same Ksh6,000 premium but received different test approvals.
- Medical expert Dr Ahmed Kalebi criticized the system, noting SHA often approves only one diagnostic marker when several are required for comprehensive cancer care.
Continue Reading
Read the complete article from Kenyans
Part of the Day's Coverage
Govt Implements Social Health Authority (SHA) Amid Scrutiny and Warnings - January 2026
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale convened a meeting with the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and the Social Health Authority (SHA) to expedite the transfer of their personnel to the state-run Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). This follows a directive from President William Ruto to move them from private medical insurers. Amid the rollout, Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni issued a stern warning against illegal hospital charges for services covered by the SHA. In a separate matter, the SHA responded to a Daily Nation report alleging favoritism in cancer care, insisting its oncology approval process is fully automated and denying claims of unequal treatment.
