The government has announced that Kenyans will start receiving free emergency services through the Social Health Authority (SHA), in a move expected to transform access to urgent medical care.
SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi revealed that the services will be available to all Kenyans—whether or not they are registered with SHA.
Under the new arrangement, SHA will cater for evacuation costs of up to Ksh 4,500 within a 25-kilometre radius. In addition, the Authority will fully cover the first 24 hours of emergency treatment for any Kenyan in need.
To strengthen emergency response, Mwangangi also announced plans to establish a National Ambulance Dispatch Centre. This centre will coordinate emergency services across the country and ensure faster response times.
Members of the public will be able to call a specific emergency number. Once the call is made, responders will be able to trace the caller’s location and dispatch an ambulance without delay.
Mwangangi further explained that after the initial 24-hour coverage period, those registered under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) will continue receiving support through SHIF. However, individuals who are not part of SHIF will have to pay for any additional treatment out of pocket.
The initiative is expected to significantly reduce preventable deaths, especially in cases involving childbirth complications, accidents on the road, and childhood emergencies.
Regulation of Ambulance and Emergency Providers
Before SHA’s announcement, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) had directed all ambulance and emergency medical service providers to register with the council. This was part of a broader effort to improve standards and coordination in emergency healthcare nationwide.
In a public notice issued on Monday, September 9, KMPDC CEO David Kariuki outlined that not only ambulances, but all emergency care personnel must be registered. This includes paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), ambulance drivers, and any other healthcare workers offering pre-hospital services.
Kariuki stated that registering emergency providers is vital to ensuring that services are properly regulated and aligned with national standards. He added that the move will also support the implementation of the emergency services component under the SHA’s Emergency, Critical Care, and Chronic Illness Fund.
Ambulance operators and emergency staff were instructed to submit their applications either by email or in person at KMPDC offices. Application forms and requirements were made available for download from the council’s official website.
“The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, pursuant to the Health Act, 2017, and the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act (Cap 253), hereby notifies all providers of ambulance services and emergency care personnel and technicians providing medical services in Kenya to register with the Council,” the notice read.
The combined efforts of SHA and KMPDC aim to create a properly coordinated emergency response system, improve accountability, and ensure that Kenyans receive timely and affordable emergency medical care when they need it most.
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