PS Ouma Oluga Reviews SHA System at KNH Oncology Centre to Improve Cancer Care Delivery
Health Updated: 07 February 2026 14:44 EAT
Medical Services PS Ouma Oluga emphasizes the duty to unite efforts in cancer care: learning, educating, sharing knowledge, and addressing the gaps that remain in patient treatment.
Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga on Friday visited the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Oncology Centre to assess service delivery and review the operational efficiency of the Social Health Authority (SHA) system. The visit focused on how administrative processes under the SHA framework impact access to specialised cancer care.
During the tour, Dr. Oluga engaged with healthcare workers and patients to understand the challenges faced in navigating the SHA workflow, from pre-authorisation of treatment to invoice processing. He emphasized the need for streamlined procedures to ensure timely access to life-saving oncology services.
“The government is committed to providing patient-centred care and eliminating delays caused by administrative bottlenecks,” said Oluga. “We are here to listen and identify areas where the SHA system can better serve patients in critical need of treatment.”
The SHA is part of Kenya’s ongoing health financing reforms aimed at achieving universal health coverage. It replaces aspects of the old NHIF system and covers specialised services, including cancer care. However, patients have previously reported delays due to pre-authorisation procedures and claims processing under the new framework.
At KNH, Oluga reviewed key operational points where administrative inefficiencies could hinder care. Staff highlighted areas such as approval delays for expensive treatments, claim verification, and invoicing processes that sometimes extend patient wait times.
The PS assured hospital management and frontline staff that feedback collected during the visit would guide policy adjustments to improve service delivery. He also pledged to monitor implementation of recommended changes to ensure patients receive uninterrupted treatment.
The visit comes amid broader government efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and ensure the SHA system functions effectively across public referral hospitals. Officials hope that such assessments will create a more responsive and efficient health service for Kenyans.
Patients and staff at KNH welcomed the initiative, noting that direct engagement by senior health officials helps highlight challenges and provides reassurance that reforms are not just policy documents but are meant to translate into better care at the bedside.
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FELIX MAKONA
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