The government is strengthening financial protection for Kenyans under cancer treatment, President William Ruto has said.
Speaking Thursday afternoon during the State of the Nation Address at Parliament Building, President Ruto noted that the Social Health Authority will enhance the cancer benefits package from the current Ksh.550, 000 to Ksh.800, 000, effective December 1, 2025.
“This enhancement responds to the rising cost of sustained cancer care and ensures that patients can access quality, uninterrupted treatment without facing financial hardship,” President Ruto said.
At the same time, the Head of State remarked that his administration is also ending the chronic shortage of essential medicines, raising availability from 48 pc to 68 pc, with a target of 90 pc by the end of this year and 100 pc by March next year.
“We have overhauled KEMSA to end the chronic crisis of drug shortages, raising medicine availability from 48 pc today to a projected 90 pc by the end of this year, and to 100 pc by March 2026. This is more than healthcare reform. It is a long-deferred promise finally taking shape, a Kenya where every citizen can face tomorrow with confidence, knowing their nation will stand with them in their hour of need,” he remarked.
Similarly, Ruto said the government is modernizing hospital equipment through the National Equipment Service Project, replacing the outdated Managed Equipment Services model that had burdened counties with heavy upfront costs.
He noted that, under the new fee-for-service system, private partners install, maintain, and operate state-of-the-art equipment, while public facilities only pay when services are used.
While acknowledging the efforts made by the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) the President noted their impact has been extraordinary stressing that 8.9 million households have so far been visited with 9.9 million diabetes screenings done and 134,000 cases diagnosed.
Additionally, he said 6.5 million hypertension screenings have been conducted, with 305,000 cases confirmed.
“Millions of lives have been touched, and thousands saved. This is what equity looks like. This is the meaning of universal healthcare. This is leaving no Kenyan behind,” said President Ruto.
