SHA Invites Overseas Hospitals to Provide Specialised Treatment for Kenyans

By Brian Kiprono - Reporter

Kenya, 31 December 2025 - The Social Health Authority (SHA) has invited licensed overseas healthcare providers to partner with Kenya in offering highly specialised medical treatments that are currently unavailable in the country, as pressure mounts to improve access to life-saving care for patients with complex conditions.

In a contracting notice issued on Tuesday, SHA called for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from qualified international hospitals to provide treatment for beneficiaries of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) during the 2025–2026 period.

Interested providers have 14 days from the date of publication to submit their applications.

“The Authority is seeking overseas healthcare providers with demonstrated capacity to deliver highly specialised medical interventions not readily available in Kenya,” SHA said in the notice.

According to the Authority, the overseas treatment package will cover the full continuum of care, including medical evaluation, laboratory investigations, imaging, treatment procedures, accommodation before and after treatment, patient transfers between facilities, and post-discharge follow-up.

“The services will cover everything from diagnostics and treatment to accommodation, transfers and post-treatment care,” SHA stated, noting that this approach is intended to reduce the financial and logistical burden on patients and their families.

SHA said the initiative is anchored in the Social Health Insurance Act of 2023 and the Public Finance Management (Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund) Regulations of 2024, which mandate the Authority to administer and manage access to specialised care, including treatment sought outside the country.

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Only medical interventions approved by the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP) as unavailable in Kenya will qualify for overseas referral under SHIF. “The Authority will only contract for procedures that have been confirmed as not available locally,” SHA said.

For beneficiaries under the POMSF scheme, the scope of care may extend beyond the listed interventions, provided the specialised treatment is approved through referral and costs are negotiated in advance.

SHA stressed that all interested providers must meet strict eligibility requirements, including proof of registration, accreditation in their country of origin, and valid licences for specialist doctors.

“All mandatory documents must be submitted on the healthcare provider’s official letterhead and duly certified. Any non-responsive submission shall be disqualified,” the Authority warned.

SHA said the move reflects its commitment to ensuring that patients who require advanced medical care can access timely treatment, while maintaining transparency, cost control and accountability in the use of public funds.