Duale: SHA will no longer accept OTP

Cynthia Lodite 04th August, 2025 12:24 PM

Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, has announced that, effective immediately, the Social Health Authority (SHA) has discontinued the use of One-Time Password (OTP)-based authorisation for service approvals.

Moving forward, all verifications must be completed through biometric health IDs or the Practice 360 app to ensure enhanced security and efficiency in healthcare service delivery.

The Health CS made his remarks on Monday, August 4, 2025, while at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital, further acknowledging the hospital levels that can now use the biometric health ID.

“With immediate effect, SHA will no longer accept OTP based authorisation. All approvals must be completed using biometric health ID or the Practice 360 app,” Duale said.

Likewise, according the the Health CS, the biometric registration is now live in select levels of health facilities. Duale has said that levels 4,5, and 6 are now able to use the biometric system.

“Biometric registration is now live in all level 4,5, and 6 facilities across the country,” Duale revealed. In addition, the health CS revealed plans underway by the government to onboard level 2 and 3 facilities across the country. “With ongoing efforts to onboard level 3 and 2 facilities across the country,” Duale noted.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Daule alongside Health officials during a hospital visit.PHOTO/@AdenDuale/X

Ministry of Health 360 app

The CS has further announced that health professionals can now use the 360 app, which, according the Duale, will help eliminate unauthorised sharing of pre-authorisation approval codes by doctors.

“On the Health professional app practice 360 we are launching today, which is now live, it is geo-fenced and geo-targeted to specific health facilities where professionals are stationed,” Duale said, also adding that it will help the Ministry eliminate unauthorised sharing of the pre-authorisation approval codes by doctors.

“All health care workers now have an opportunity to view, approve, and manage pre-authorisation, claims and the services they offer directly through the Practice 360 app,” noted Duale.

Worth noting, according to the Ministry of Health, to SHA has registered at least 25 million Kenyans. In addition, the Ministry has also contracted with nearly 10,000 hospitals, clinics and health centres.

Also, according to Daule, the Ministry of Health has been able to make reimbursements to various health care facilities.

“Since inception, SHA has reimbursed Ksh 47.5B under the Social Health Insurance Fund and Ksh 6.9B under the Primary Health care Fund, which is free for all Kenyans accessing health care at level 2 to level,” Duale said.