Kenyan Government, civil servants sign deal to boost healthcare access

Africa, Health

NAIROBI, Kenya (NPA) — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday chaired the signing of a Joint Communiqué between the government and civil servants, outlining measures to improve healthcare services for public officers under the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).

The agreement provides for the immediate removal of the tariff-locking mechanism within the Social Health Authority (SHA) system to ease access challenges at the point of care. In the interim, contracted facilities are barred from charging civil servants out-of-pocket fees, with strict tariff provisions suspended pending nationwide negotiations.

To address urgent cases, Duale announced the creation of a Joint Rapid Response Desk comprising SHA, the State Department for Public Service, and the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS). The desk will coordinate the release of civil servants detained in health facilities and review unauthorized charges to facilitate refunds.

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Nationwide tariff negotiations for private and faith-based Level 3 to Level 6 facilities will begin on April 28, 2026, and are expected to conclude within four weeks. Duale emphasized that under the revised framework, the “walk-in, walk-out” principle will apply strictly, with no co-payments permitted. Facilities breaching contractual terms will face enforcement action, including de-contracting.

SHA will maintain and regularly update a public list of approved facilities, strengthen accountability through claims audits, fraud detection, and performance monitoring, and expand regional sensitisation forums. The POMSF manual will also be updated and published to improve accessibility and understanding.

The meeting was attended by Medical Services PS Dr. Ouma Oluga, UKCS Secretary General Lawrence Nyaguti, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, Digital Health Agency CEO Eng. Anthony Lenayara, and other senior officials.