- Social Health Authority rolls out overseas treatment starting April 14
- Patients will be referred to hospitals in Turkey, India, and Saudi Arabia
- The programme targets specialised procedures not available in local facilities
- Government says move will ease pressure on Kenyan hospitals
- Plan seen as a boost to access for critical care like cancer treatment and transplants
Kenyans registered under the Social Health Authority will now be able to seek specialised treatment abroad following the official rollout of the overseas care programme set to begin on April 14.
The announcement was confirmed by Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, who described the initiative as a major step in improving access to advanced healthcare services.
Under the new system, patients who qualify will be referred to selected international hospitals that have already been vetted and approved.
In Turkey, facilities under the Acıbadem network have been listed among the main destinations. India will host patients in leading hospitals such as KIMS and Apollo, while Saudi Arabia will receive referrals in top institutions, including King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital.
These partnerships are expected to ensure Kenyan patients receive high-quality care in globally recognised medical centres.
The overseas programme is designed to handle cases that cannot be managed within Kenya’s current health system.
This includes advanced cancer treatment, organ transplants, and other highly complex procedures that require specialised equipment and expertise.
Health officials say this move will reduce the need for emergency fundraising by families seeking life-saving treatment abroad.
The initiative is also expected to ease pressure on hospitals within Kenya, many of which face increasing demand for specialised care.
By referring complex cases overseas, local facilities will have more capacity to focus on other patients while strengthening the national referral system.
The rollout aligns with broader government efforts to improve healthcare under ongoing reforms aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Officials believe the programme will make a significant difference for patients who previously had limited options for specialised care.
As implementation begins, attention will now shift to how efficiently the system handles applications and ensures deserving patients benefit from the new opportunity.
