Thursday, August 7, 2025 - Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, has responded to growing public concern after the Social Health Authority (SHA) reportedly failed to honour a Ksh500, 000 commitment for the treatment of 10-month-old Chloe Agnes Nyang’au, who was flown to India for a life-saving heart surgery.
The surgery, estimated to cost Ksh1.6 million, had drawn
national attention, prompting well-wishers to raise funds online after SHA
initially pledged partial support.
However, upon the family's arrival in India, they were
reportedly informed that SHA would not disburse the pledged amount.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 7th,
Duale clarified that SHA operates under a different legal framework from the
now-defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), and is bound by strict
regulations regarding overseas payments.
“SHA is governed by the Social Health Insurance Act (SHI
Act), the Public Procurement Act, and circulars from the Attorney General’s
office.”
“Payments can only be made to healthcare providers who are
empaneled and contracted by SHA,” Duale explained.
He added that several conditions must be met before SHA can
fund treatment abroad.
These include proof that the treatment is unavailable in
Kenya, compliance with contribution rules, and treatment at accredited
facilities formally linked to a Kenyan hospital for follow-up care.
Duale also noted that a list of approved overseas services
is still pending gazettement, and SHA is working with the National Treasury to
establish a legally compliant procurement pathway for foreign healthcare
contracts.
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