NAIROBI — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Saturday launched a landmark partnership between the Ministry of Health, the Social Health Authority (SHA), and The Nairobi Hospital to what collaboration across public and private health systems can achieve in order to provide cancer and kidney care services under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) plan.
The agreement includes access to the region’s first 256-slice, AI-powered CT scanner. The machine, installed at The Nairobi Hospital, is expected to significantly enhance diagnostics across specialties such as oncology, neurology, cardiology, pediatrics, trauma, and orthopedics.
“This is more than a medical upgrade. It is a commitment to transform access to life-saving care for millions of Kenyans,” Duale said at the launch.
Under the deal, SHA beneficiaries will receive advanced cancer and renal services at no cost. These include intra-cavitary brachytherapy, radio-iodine therapy, CT-based treatment planning, full haemodialysis, and subsidized kidney transplants.
The CT scanner, a first in East Africa, delivers faster and more precise imaging while reducing radiation exposure. It is expected to improve early detection and treatment of complex illnesses.
“This scanner will ensure patients receive accurate diagnosis at the right time. That is how we save lives,” Duale said.
Duale described the public-private partnership as a critical turning point for UHC, noting that while The Nairobi Hospital is privately owned, its collaboration with the government sets a precedent.
“UHC is not just the government’s duty. It is a national responsibility that demands shared effort,” he said.
He pointed to rising costs of non-communicable diseases, especially cancer and kidney disease, as a major threat to Kenyan households. In 2022, out-of-pocket health payments accounted for 24.3% of the country’s total health spending. In 2024 alone, over 11,000 Kenyans sought treatment abroad, spending KES 14.7 billion.
“This trend is not sustainable,” Duale said. “It is our moral and economic duty to bring care home.”
The Health CS also addressed ongoing tensions in the health sector. He announced that the 2025/26 budget allocates funds to resolve salary arrears and fulfill Return-to-Work Agreements, aimed at stabilizing the workforce.
“A motivated and stable workforce is the foundation of UHC. We urge union leaders to respond to this goodwill with honest dialogue,” he said.
Duale called on other hospitals to follow The Nairobi Hospital’s example by opening their services to SHA cardholders.
“Let us replace strikes with solutions. Let us walk together, public and private, for the sake of every patient who needs care,” he stated.
He described the CT scanner not only as a symbol of technological progress but also as a statement of shared national values.
“Opening these doors to SHA patients shows courage, compassion, and unity. That’s the Kenya we must build,” Duale said.
The partnership marks a major step toward realizing Kenya’s goal of universal access to specialized healthcare, especially for conditions that are both financially and medically devastating.
