Kenya plans to raise its cancer treatment funding cap from 550,000 shillings to 1 million shillings across three years to help patients afford care. Social Health Authority head Mercy Mwangangi told lawmakers on Tuesday the increases will reach 600,000 shillings next year, then 800,000 and finally 1 million.
The agency supports 35,000 cancer patients, but estimates show 50,000 need assistance. Ten percent of those receiving help exhaust their benefits before finishing treatment because costs keep rising.
Officials work with health economists and scientists to design payment models matching specific cancer types. The authority hired doctors to review suspicious claims and built software to flag irregular billing patterns.
Health Minister Aden Duale said prosecutors will soon receive fraud cases after verification teams finish reviewing 5.2 billion shillings in unpaid hospital bills. The government will also propose letting rural clinics offer maternity services under the insurance program.
The agency supports 35,000 cancer patients, but estimates show 50,000 need assistance. Ten percent of those receiving help exhaust their benefits before finishing treatment because costs keep rising.
Officials work with health economists and scientists to design payment models matching specific cancer types. The authority hired doctors to review suspicious claims and built software to flag irregular billing patterns.
Health Minister Aden Duale said prosecutors will soon receive fraud cases after verification teams finish reviewing 5.2 billion shillings in unpaid hospital bills. The government will also propose letting rural clinics offer maternity services under the insurance program.
