The inaugural Regional Health Conference 2025 brought together stakeholders from Africa and beyond to reimagine Universal Health coverage (UHC), by exploring the role of health financing and other innovative and intersectional approaches that ensures no one is left behind and healthcare is inclusive and accessible for all.
Speaking at the conference, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni, noted that health financing is a major pillar in achieving UHC and pointed out that it is through SHA that Kenyans will afford and access better healthcare.
She emphasized that the restructuring of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) into three distinct funds—the Primary Health Care Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund was necessary to enhance access to healthcare, dismissing the challenges SHA is currently facing as growing pains that are bound to be replaced by a successful and stable fund.
“Regarding our Social Health Authority (SHA), I know there are concerns. Yes, we have faced some challenges, including system downtimes and inadequate services from some providers. However, this does not mean we have miscalculated. The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) had been in operation for 60 years, but it was a collapsing fund. It has now been replaced with three strong funds: the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund.”
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing affordable healthcare the PS said they were incorporating in feedback and implementing changes, she assured that in the long run this healthcare system would be more sustainable.
“The government has been listening to the challenges. For example, oncology treatment previously had a cap of KSh 300,000, which was insufficient to cover a full dose. We have now increased this to KSh 550,000. Similarly, hospitalization charges covered by NHIF used to be KSh 4,000 per night, while some facilities charged KSh 10,000 or more. We have now increased this coverage to KSh 28,000 per night. We are continuously reviewing concerns raised by the public and adjusting accordingly.”
One of the conference’s focal points was the role of the private sector in health financing, supply chain systems and digital health. During a panel discussion on Sustainable and Equitable Financing for UHC, experts examined the challenges and opportunities in expanding private sector participation in healthcare.
Dr. Margaret Lubaale, Health NGO’s Network (HENNET) Executive Director, underscored the need to ensure that marginalized communities remain at the center of health financing strategies.
“We cannot achieve UHC without putting the poor at the center. Resources must be directed to where the need is greatest,” she noted.
Dr Amit Thakker, Chairman Africa Health Business, further highlighted that 95 per cent of essential health commodities in Kenya are sourced from private pharmaceutical chains, demonstrating a heavy reliance on private suppliers.
He stressed that public-private partnerships were essential to achieve UHC as the private sector played an important part in plugging in gaps. “We must formalize partnerships with these players to ensure stable, affordable, and quality supply of commodities.”
Bringing a global perspective, Donne Cameron CO-CEO of VSO emphasized the importance of other key pillars in achieving UHC, especially social accountability, embracing of digital health solutions to ensure access to quality healthcare.
“Social accountability drives transparency and accountability, these are the foundation for building trust and improving health outcomes. Involving communities in monitoring and evaluating health services leads to better quality and responsiveness.”
Cameron also echoed other speakers’ sentiments on the role of Technology and AI in healthcare, she championed digital health solutions as a game-changer for preventive care and healthcare access. By integrating telemedicine, mobile health applications, and digital patient management systems, Kenya could enhance efficiency and accessibility in healthcare delivery.
“Digital health is not just the future, it’s the solution to many of our current challenges,” said a health-tech innovator.
