SHA Introduces New Tariffs to Improve Maternity and Chronic Illness Management

By Ken Muthomi - Reporter

Kenya, 12 May 2026 - The Ministry of Health (MoH) has introduced new healthcare tariffs under the Social Health Authority (SHA), including free services for registered beneficiaries and enhanced coverage for chronic illnesses and cancer treatment.

The confirmation was made by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and SHA CEO, Mercy Mwangangi, in separate notices on Monday.

The reforms were introduced through an amendment to the Tariffs for Healthcare Services, 2025, under the Social Health Insurance Act, as published in Legal Notice No. 78 of 2026.

The reforms will introduce new packages under the Primary Healthcare Fund, specifically focusing on maternity, neonatal, and child health services.

Under the new packages, normal delivery and essential newborn care will attract a tariff of KSh 10,000, while the caesarean section and essential newborn care will cost KSh 30,000 in Level 2 and 3 primary healthcare facilities.

Duale has noted that registered beneficiaries shall access free delivery services, with the services being financed through available budgetary allocation.

The maternity package includes normal and assisted deliveries, aftercare for mothers and newborns, immunization for newborns, laboratory tests, medication, blood transfusion services, oxygen supplies, and postnatal family planning, among other services, as well as other services defined by the Ministry’s guidelines.

“Under the enhanced package, all registered SHA beneficiaries will now access free maternity services at Level 2 and Level 3 primary healthcare facilities on a walk-in, walk-out basis,” Duale said.

“The cover includes both normal deliveries and caesarean sections, fully financed through the Primary Healthcare Fund, easing the burden on expectant mothers and advancing safe motherhood across the country,” he added.

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The government has also increased the chronic illness coverage under the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness fund from KSh 150,000 to KSh400,000, as well as the annual Cancer Benefits Package from KSh 550,000 up to KSh 800,000.

The amendments have also introduced revised cancer treatment service package sub-limits aimed at improving care and treatment access.

Holistic Oncology Consultations will be covered up to KSh 2,500, while treatment administrations, including Chemotherapy administrations at KSh 5,500 and Radiotherapy at KSh 3,600 per session for 30 sessions.

For advanced diagnostics, CT scans will cost KSh 6,900, MRI scans KSh 11,000, PET scans KSh 53,500, and PSMA PET scans KSh 64,200. Brachytherapy will cost KSh40,000 for three sessions, while SBRT/SBRS is capped at up to KSh 70,000 for five sessions.

For supportive and follow-up care, supportive care medication is capped at up to KSh 10,000, while remission follow-up care will be provided in line with the Kenya Cancer National Treatment Protocols.

To further support patients with sickle cell disease,SHA has provided coverage for selected services, including apheresis platelets at KSh 20,000 and Red Cell exchange at KSh 70,000, each covered up to three times per policy period.