NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has established a Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP) to guide the rollout of its Social Health Insurance (SHA) program, a major step in the country’s push for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The panel, announced by Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mlongo Barasa, will be responsible for shaping health benefits, setting service tariffs, and ensuring financial sustainability in the healthcare system.
Speaking at a media briefing, Dr. Barasa emphasized that the BPTAP’s role is crucial in guaranteeing that Kenyans receive quality healthcare in an equitable and cost-effective manner.
“This advisory panel will ensure that healthcare reforms are driven by evidence-based policies, promoting transparency and efficiency in resource allocation,” she said.
𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 The Ministry of Health has established the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel…
The panel is housed at the Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (CEMA) at the University of Nairobi and comprises experts in health economics, epidemiology, actuarial science, and health services.
One of its key mandates is to conduct Health Technology Assessments (HTAs), a rigorous process used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of medical interventions, ensuring that resources are directed towards high-impact healthcare services.
A major task for the panel will be reviewing and recommending an updated benefits package within the next two years.
Dr. Barasa noted that the SHA program must remain adaptable to emerging healthcare challenges while addressing financial barriers to access.
The government’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system comes at a time when the country is also responding to various public health threats, including the Mpox outbreak in Kenya, the Ebola situation in Uganda, and the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Tanzania.
Dr. Barasa reassured the public that surveillance and response measures are in place to mitigate risks.
