The government has sustained enhancements on the Social Health Authority (SHA) as part of its ongoing reforms to optimise healthcare delivery and strengthen access to essential services across the country.
In the latest move, the SHA is finalising plans to roll out a 24-hour nationwide ambulance service, a groundbreaking initiative that will enable Kenyans to access free emergency medical care and evacuation under a centralised dispatch system.
According to SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, the Authority is in the final stages of establishing a National Ambulance Dispatch Centre, which will coordinate emergency responses through a toll-free number available to all Kenyans.
“This is part of broader, people-centred reforms to eliminate financial barriers and ensure timely access to life-saving services,” Dr. Mwangangi said. “The system will use digital tracking tools to pinpoint callers’ locations in real time, enabling faster ambulance response and reducing delays in critical situations.”
Under the new arrangement, SHA will cover up to KSh 4,500 for each emergency evacuation within a 25-kilometre radius and pay for the first 24 hours of emergency treatment at the receiving facility — even for citizens who are not registered under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
“After the first 24 hours, SHA will continue to cover your care only if you are a registered SHIF member,” Dr. Mwangangi clarified.
The initiative follows weeks after the government rolled out a special scheme under SHA to support Kenyans seeking specialised medical services outside the country — part of a wider effort to expand Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and protect citizens from catastrophic health expenses.
Health experts have hailed the upcoming ambulance programme as a milestone in strengthening Kenya’s emergency health infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved regions where delays in emergency response often result in preventable deaths.
The service will cater to a wide range of emergencies including maternity complications, strokes, severe asthma, kidney failure, and heart conditions, among others.
Observers note that by integrating digital technology, financial protection, and real-time coordination, SHA’s plan is poised to standardise emergency medical response nationwide, ensuring that distance or income no longer determine who gets help in a crisis.
The national ambulance service is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2025, marking yet another major stride in the government’s quest to deliver on the promise of equitable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all.
— SIAYA TODAY
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