Aden Duale breathes fire after hospitals bill SHA patients without medicine
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has raised alarm after reports emerged that some hospitals are billing Social Health Authority (SHA) patients without giving them medicine.
Through a post on X on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Duale said the government had noted a worrying trend where some health facilities were submitting claims under SHA, yet patients were allegedly being forced to buy drugs outside the hospitals using their own money.
You might also like
The Cabinet Secretary stressed that such actions go against the law and the spirit of universal health coverage, especially for patients who rely on SHA support to access treatment without extra costs.
SHA issues firm warning
Through a graphic card shared to the public, SHA said it had “noted with great concern the low drug dispensing rates,” which could mean that some facilities are billing the authority while failing to issue medicine.
“SHA has noted with great concern the low drug dispensing rates, indicating that some facilities may be billing without issuing medicines,” the notice read in parts.
SHA warned that it will not pay any suspicious claims and will take action against facilities found to be engaging in the practice.
“SHA will not pay such claims and will deduct the drug component where applicable,” SHA stated.
The authority also reminded hospitals and patients that primary healthcare services and medicines are fully covered under SHA, meaning no patient should be asked to pay extra for drugs that are meant to be provided at the facility.
“All PHC services and medicines are fully covered under SHA. Patients must not be charged,” SHA added.
Patients urged to report hospitals
The warning comes at a time when many Kenyans have been complaining that some hospitals are directing SHA patients to nearby chemists to purchase medicine, despite the facilities still submitting SHA claims as if the drugs were issued.
SHA urged patients who have been charged illegally to speak up and report the facilities involved.
“Report any charging by calling 147 or emailing [email protected],” the statement read.
SHA further warned that compliance is mandatory, signalling that action will be taken against any hospital that continues to break the rules.
