The Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale has announced a new framework for specialized medical care abroad, for all Kenyans under the Social Health Insurance (SHI) scheme.
In a statement posted on his X platform on Saturday, September 20, 2025, CS Duale noted that the new health package will cover costs for medical services not available locally.
Duale stated that the move is part of government’s commitment to ensuring that no Kenyan is denied access to specialized medical and surgical procedures not offered in local hospitals.
“The Ministry of Health, through the Social Health Authority (SHA), is proud to announce a new era for specialized medical care for all Kenyans under the Social Health Insurance scheme,” Duale said.
He added: “This milestone is a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring that no Kenyan is denied access to life-saving surgical procedures not yet available locally, while simultaneously strengthening our national health system.”
The Health CS also announced that Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP), has developed and gazetted a list of 36 healthcare services not available in Kenya.
He however reiterated that the maximum limit payable for overseas treatment is set at Ksh 500,000.
As per the gazette notice, some of the healthcare services not available in Kenya include wrist joint arthroplasty. Ministry of Health says this is due to lack of dedicated joint replacement and implant availability.
“Wrist joint arthroplasty due to lack of replacement dedicated joint and implant availability, metacarpal arthroplasty joint, and limited prosthesis access and expertise,” read the gazette notice.
Also in the list is Ankle joint arthroplasty due to lack of surgical expertise and advanced implants.
According to the Health Ministry, for allogeneic bone marrow/peripheral blood stem cell transplant, only autologous transplants are performed at limited centres owing to inadequate capacity.
Also, other health care services that are unavailable include transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, which is limited by the unavailability of essential tools and consumables, and yttrium-90 (Y-90) radio-embolization due to lack of access to yttrium-90 isotopes and delivery systems.
