Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has responded to public outcry over the Social Health Authority’s (SHA) refusal to cover medical expenses for a Kenyan child seeking treatment abroad. The issue came to light after an NTV exposé on August 6, 2025, highlighted the plight of baby Chloe Agnes, who required a Ksh1.625 million heart surgery in India.
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The Controversy: A Family’s Struggle for Treatment
Chloe’s father, a contributor to both the now-defunct NHIF and the SHA, was reportedly promised Ksh500,000 in coverage by the authority. However, after the family—having raised additional funds from well-wishers—flew the 10-month-old to India for the life-saving procedure, SHA allegedly withdrew its commitment.
Duale later dismissed a key document presented by the family as “fake,” further fueling public frustration.
Duale’s Defense: SHA Operates Under Strict Legal Frameworks
In a statement on August 7, the CS defended SHA’s decision, emphasizing that the new system is designed to prevent fraud, unlike NHIF, which he labeled a “fraud-prone scheme.”
He outlined the strict conditions under which SHA can approve overseas treatment:
- Treatment must be unavailable in Kenya.
- The patient must have met all SHA contribution requirements.
- The foreign facility must be SHA-contracted, internationally accredited, and linked to a Kenyan hospital for follow-up care.
Additionally, the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP) is tasked with compiling an annual list of eligible overseas treatments—though Duale admitted this list has not yet been gazetted.
Procurement Hurdles: Why Delays Happen
Duale revealed that SHA must follow rigorous procurement rules, including:
- Open tendering for foreign medical contracts.
- Special approval from the National Treasury for expedited procurement.
- Mandatory legal oversight by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) at every stage.
“Board approval is non-negotiable before any overseas contract is signed,” he stressed.
The Human Cost: Baby Chloe’s Urgent Case
The NTV report disclosed that Chloe was referred to MIOT Hospital, Chennai, by Kenyan pediatric cardiologist Dr. Esther Kimani, who warned of the urgency of her condition. Despite this, the Ksh1.8 million cost (including travel) was not covered, forcing the family to seek public donations.
Key Takeaways
- SHA’s strict legal protocols are delaying overseas treatment approvals.
- No gazetted list of eligible foreign hospitals yet exists.
- Families in emergencies may still face financial hurdles despite SHA contributions.
The case has sparked debate on whether SHA’s anti-fraud measures are compromising timely healthcare access for vulnerable Kenyans.
