Kenya clears 73% of SHA debts, rolls out new HIV drug to high-risk populations - PS Oluga

Principal Secretary for the State Department for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga has assured Kenyans that the government is making significant strides in clearing outstanding Social Health Authority (SHA) debts, while also revealing encouraging uptake figures for the recently introduced HIV prevention drug, Lenacapavir.

Speaking during an interview on Ramogi TV on Tuesday evening, Dr Ouma Oluga offered a detailed progress report on several health sector priorities, addressing concerns that have lingered over the government's ability to settle arrears owed to healthcare facilities under the SHA framework.

On the matter of pending SHA obligations, the PS was candid but optimistic, telling viewers that the bulk of the debt burden had already been addressed.

"We have paid 73% of SHA debts," Dr Oluga stated, adding reassuringly that "the remaining 27% are barely 3 months", suggesting the outstanding balance is recent and not a sign of systemic financial failure.

His remarks come amid sustained pressure from hospitals and healthcare providers who have raised concerns about delayed reimbursements under the SHA system, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund.

The PS also turned attention to Kenya's rollout of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking twice-yearly injectable drug used in HIV prevention, disclosing that uptake among Kenyans has been substantial since its introduction.

"21,000 doses out of 49,000 of Lenacapavir have been taken by Kenyans already," Dr Oluga revealed, representing nearly half of the available doses administered, a notable achievement in the early stages of the programme's deployment.

Lenacapavir has been hailed globally as a game-changer in the fight against HIV, particularly for its long-acting formulation that eliminates the burden of daily oral medication, and Kenya is among a select group of African nations moving swiftly to integrate the drug into its national HIV prevention strategy.

To ensure that the remaining doses and future supplies reach those who need them most, Dr. Oluga disclosed that the State Department for Medical Services has been conducting targeted geographical and demographic mapping to identify and prioritise vulnerable communities.

"We've done mapping in 15 counties and identified high-risk populations," he said, indicating that the exercise is guiding the strategic distribution of Lenacapavir and other HIV prevention interventions across the country.