NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyans enrolled under the Social Health Authority (SHA) will begin accessing overseas medical treatment starting Tuesday, April 14, following the completion of the empanelment of foreign healthcare providers.
Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni announced the milestone, terming it a major step toward expanding access to specialized care not readily available in the country.
Under the new arrangement, accredited hospitals across Turkey, India, and Saudi Arabia will receive eligible Kenyan patients seeking advanced treatment.
In Turkey, the approved facilities include Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Atakent Hospital, Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital, and Acıbadem Adana Hospital.
In India, the accredited providers are KIMS Hospital Enterprises Private Ltd and Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd.
Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, patients will be referred to Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital and King Faisal Specialist Hospital, among other approved facilities.
The overseas treatment benefit is expected to ease the burden on local health systems while giving patients access to highly specialized procedures, including advanced cancer care, organ transplants, and complex surgeries.
The Ministry of Health indicated that the application process and referral system will be streamlined to ensure transparency and timely approvals, with priority given to cases that cannot be effectively managed locally.
The rollout marks a significant shift in Kenya’s healthcare landscape, potentially offering relief to thousands of patients who have long sought treatment abroad at great personal cost.
