Patients working for the Siaya County Government may soon breathe a sigh of relief after the County Referral Hospital announced that ambulance services will now fall under the Social Health Authority (SHA) cover.
In an internal memo dated 2 September 2025, signed by Superintendent Dr. Caleb Otieno and circulated to all departmental heads, the facility clarified that patients transferred or referred between medical facilities will have their ambulance transportation costs settled under the SHA scheme.
The development comes as a welcome reprieve for the workers, as ambulance services in Siaya have long been viewed as prohibitively expensive. For years, the County Government categorized ambulance operations as an “own-source revenue” stream, sparking public criticism that the policy effectively penalized patients at their most vulnerable moments.
What remains unclear, however, is whether the SHA-backed coverage will extend beyond county staff to include all patients enrolled under the annual subscription plan. Health administrators are still awaiting further guidance on the scope of the coverage, particularly whether it will cushion households in emergency evacuation scenarios.
“This is a big relief for families who have had to choose between saving a life and raising funds for ambulance transport. But we need clarity on whether it applies universally to all patients,” a senior nurse at the Referral Hospital, who requested anonymity, told this SIAYA TODAY.
The move comes against the backdrop of wider healthcare reforms in the Siaya County Government. In recent months, the devolved government has expanded insurance options for its staff, striking a deal with Britam Insurance to provide tailored medical packages. The inclusion of ambulance services under SHA coverage appears to signal a broader commitment to reducing out-of-pocket health expenditures.
Health analysts say the decision could mark a turning point in bridging the affordability gap in emergency response. “Ambulance costs are among the most prohibitive barriers to timely care in rural Kenya. Integrating them into SHA coverage is not just a policy shift—it’s a lifeline,” said a Kisumu-based health policy expert.
As residents await official clarification on the policy’s reach, the announcement has already stirred cautious optimism. For a county where healthcare debates often ignite heated political exchanges, this latest shift could redefine public perception of the devolved unit’s priorities in the health sector.
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