The government is seeking fresh support from the Global Fund to strengthen the Social Health Authority (SHA), expand digital healthcare and reinforce Kenya's response to HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria as part of the country's next health funding proposal.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The plans were unveiled during a meeting between Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga and a Global Fund delegation led by Senior Portfolio Manager Paul MacCarrick, where the two sides reviewed progress under Grant Cycle 7 and discussed Kenya's preparations for Grant Cycle 8.

According to the Ministry of Health, the next funding proposal will focus on strengthening the Social Health Authority, accelerating digital health systems, improving the availability of essential medicines and medical commodities, investing in resilient health systems, promoting local pharmaceutical manufacturing and leveraging artificial intelligence to improve healthcare delivery.

Oluga said the government is keen to ensure that every investment made through the Global Fund delivers measurable health outcomes while advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Taifa Care programme.

📌 What You Need to Know

"The next grant cycle presents an opportunity to strengthen national health systems while ensuring sustainable investments that improve healthcare services for all Kenyans," the Principal Secretary said.

The move comes as the government continues implementing reforms under the Social Health Authority, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) as part of efforts to achieve universal health coverage.

The reforms have, however, faced growing scrutiny from patients, healthcare providers and other stakeholders over access to services, delayed reimbursements and concerns about the scope of the benefits package.

At the same time, the government has been rolling out digital health reforms aimed at improving service delivery across the health sector. These include integrating health facilities into digital platforms to streamline patient records, claims processing and healthcare financing while improving accountability and efficiency.

Officials say strengthening digital health infrastructure is expected to improve the management of HIV, TB, and Malaysia programmes while making healthcare services more accessible and responsive.

The Global Fund remains one of Kenya's largest health financing partners , supporting programmes that combat HIV, tuberculosis and malaria while investing in health systems strengthening. Its support has helped finance medicines, diagnostics, prevention programmes and healthcare infrastructure across the country.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke