The Social Health Authority (SHA) has requested that the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP) increase the oncology package limit to Ksh1 million for each beneficiary. This initiative is designed to alleviate the financial burden on cancer patients and enhance their access to comprehensive care.
As reported in a post on Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s X account on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, he revealed this information while addressing the National Assembly plenary session, which was presided over by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. He mentioned that the SHA, via the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), has been consistently supporting patients from the point of diagnosis through to treatment and palliative care.
Previously, the medical scheme broadened the benefits package for Primary Health Care (PHC) services, with the goal of improving accessibility and quality for all Kenyans.
Currently, the oncology package provides coverage of up to Ksh550,000 per patient, funded collaboratively by the SHIF (Ksh400,000) and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF) (KES 150,000).
“SHA has asked the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP) to elevate the oncology package cap to KES 1 million for each beneficiary,” the post states.
The suggested rise to Ksh1 million aims to enhance access to cancer treatment and lessen the number of patients compelled to halt their care because of financial constraints.
SHA enhances cancer coverage
Duale mentioned that the SHA has already improved coverage by eliminating restrictions on treatment cycles within the annual limit.
At present, 140 health facilities are contracted to deliver comprehensive cancer care under SHA. To date, 33,101 patients have benefited from the program, with Ksh5.8 billion already disbursed in claims and an additional Ksh774.6 million still under processing.
Duale reassured MPs that the Ministry of Health is dedicated to enhancing cancer benefits and settling outstanding bills owed to hospitals from the previous National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). The initial repayment of Ksh5.3 billion will focus on facilities owed between Ksh1 million and Ksh10 million.
Regarding other health issues, Duale stated that the Ministry has successfully resolved the doctors’ strike in Kiambu County through a National Return-to-Work Framework (RTWF), reinstating normal operations nationwide.
He also noted consistent progress in Kenya’s battle against tuberculosis, with cases decreasing by 41 percent and deaths dropping by 65 percent since 2015. Kenya was removed from the World Health Organization’s list of high-burden countries in 2020 due to the significant reduction in drug-resistant TB.
