Nairobi, Kenya – The Ministry of Health has announced a 30‑day suspension of the Social Health Authority’s (SHA) overseas treatment benefit to allow for a comprehensive policy review and new guidelines. The benefit, which allows Kenyans to seek treatment abroad at the government’s expense, has faced criticism for lack of oversight and allegations of abuse. Under the revised rules, the overseas package will only cover conditions that cannot be treated locally, and foreign hospitals must be pre‑qualified by Kenyan authorities.

Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the ministry will develop memoranda of understanding with approved international hospitals and link each patient with a designated Kenyan facility for pre‑ and post‑treatment care. “We want to ensure that patients receive quality treatment abroad while strengthening our own health system,” Muthoni said. She added that the annual cap of Ksh500,000 per patient remains unchanged but that applicants must provide detailed medical reports and obtain authorisation from a medical board.

Under the new process, Kenyans seeking overseas care must first be referred by a licensed doctor and have their case reviewed by a panel of specialists who will determine whether the treatment is unavailable in Kenya. The ministry will also require patients to demonstrate that there are no affordable alternatives within the country. Officials say the stricter criteria will curb abuse and ensure that only genuinely complex cases are funded.

The SHA overseas benefit has been controversial since its introduction, with reports of middle‑men exploiting desperate patients and foreign hospitals overcharging the government. Health advocates welcomed the reforms but urged authorities to increase investment in local facilities so that more treatments can be provided domestically. They also called for transparency in the selection of foreign hospitals and for timely communication with patients.

As the review gets under way, individuals who had already been approved for overseas treatment have been advised to consult the ministry for guidance. Officials say the reforms will make the programme more sustainable and restore public confidence in the health system.