Telemedicine Options Available Through SHA

Introduction

Telemedicine, the delivery of healthcare services via digital platforms, has emerged as a transformative tool in Kenya, where geographical barriers, a strained healthcare workforce (1 doctor per 5,000 people), and high out-of-pocket costs (40% of health spending pre-2024) limit access to care. With 53 million people, 83% of whom are in the informal sector and 25% of rural households uninsured (KDHS 2022), Kenya faces challenges in delivering equitable healthcare. The Social Health Authority (SHA), launched on October 1, 2024, under the Social Health Insurance Act of 2023, replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. By September 2025, SHA has registered 26.7 million members, treated 4.5 million without out-of-pocket costs, and disbursed KSh 8 billion to frontline services. Integrating telemedicine into its framework—via the Primary Health Care Fund (PHCF) and Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)—SHA enhances access to care, particularly for rural and underserved populations. This article provides a comprehensive, factual guide to SHA’s telemedicine options, covering eligibility, services, access, challenges, and practical tips, grounded in Kenya’s medical situation, government reports, GeoPoll surveys, and public sentiment on X.

The Telemedicine Landscape in Kenya

Telemedicine has gained traction in Kenya, driven by mobile penetration (54 million connections, 98% coverage) and growing internet access (42% of the population, KNBS 2023). Key challenges include:

• Access Gaps: Rural areas like Turkana have limited facilities, with only 40% of health centers contracted compared to 70% in urban Nairobi (MoH, 2025). NHIF’s 17% coverage left 83% of Kenyans reliant on costly private care.
• Disease Burden: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension (24%) and diabetes (9%) require ongoing management, while infectious diseases (e.g., 2,000 cholera cases in 2025) demand rapid response (STEPwise 2022, WHO 2025).
• Workforce Shortages: Kenya’s 1:5,000 doctor-patient ratio and 1:106,000 nutritionist ratio hinder in-person care (MoH, 2023).
• Economic Impact: Telemedicine could save KSh 10 billion annually by reducing travel costs and hospital visits (Cytonn Investments, 2025).

SHA leverages Kenya’s digital infrastructure and partnerships with telecoms like Safaricom to integrate telemedicine, aligning with the Kenya Digital Health Strategy 2022–2027.

SHA’s Framework for Telemedicine

SHA’s three-fund structure supports telemedicine integration:

• PHCF: Funds teleconsultations and remote screenings at levels 1–4 (community units, dispensaries, health centers), supported by taxes and donors.
• SHIF: Covers advanced teleconsultations, remote diagnostics, and specialist referrals at levels 4–6 (county and referral hospitals), funded by member contributions.
• ECCIF: Supports high-cost telemonitoring for chronic conditions, fully funded for registered members.

With 26.7 million enrolled and 8,813 facilities contracted (56% of 17,755) by September 2025, SHA uses digital platforms like *147# USSD, Practice 360 app, and e-GPS to deliver telemedicine, supported by 107,000 Community Health Promoters (CHPs).

Specific Telemedicine Options Under SHA

1. Teleconsultations and Remote Screenings (PHCF)

SHA’s primary care telemedicine focuses on accessibility:

• Basic Consultations: Free teleconsultations via *147# or Practice 360 app for common conditions (e.g., malaria, respiratory infections). CHPs facilitate video calls using 100,000 health kits, serving 1 million remote consultations since October 2024.
• Screenings: Remote MUAC and blood pressure checks, linked to Afya Timiza app, target malnutrition (26% stunting) and hypertension (24%). Over 200,000 screenings completed in 2025.
• Health Education: Virtual sessions on NCD prevention, reaching 70% of rural households (KDHS 2022).

GeoPoll’s February 2025 survey (n=961) shows 95% SHA awareness but only 30% understand telemedicine benefits, particularly in rural areas (45% of sample).

2. Specialist Teleconsultations and Diagnostics (SHIF)

SHIF expands telemedicine for specialized care:

• Outpatient Services: Remote consultations with specialists (e.g., endocrinologists for diabetes) via Practice 360 or partner platforms like MyDawa. Covers up to KSh 5,000/month for tele-visits.
• Remote Diagnostics: Tele-radiology and ECGs at 200 level 4–6 facilities, with results shared via e-GPS. Supports 10,000 monthly NCD patients.
• Mental Health: Virtual counseling for 10% of adults with psychosocial needs, piloted in 50 facilities.
• Maternal and Child Health: Teleconsultations for antenatal care, benefiting 21% of anemic pregnant women (KDHS 2022).

A 2025 MoH report notes 1 million outpatient tele-visits, with 20% addressing NCDs and maternal care.

3. Chronic Disease Telemonitoring (ECCIF)

ECCIF funds advanced telemedicine for chronic conditions:

• Diabetes and Hypertension: Remote glucose and blood pressure monitoring, with devices subsidized up to KSh 10,000/year, supporting 9% of diabetics and 24% of hypertensives.
• Oncology: Tele-follow-ups for 42,000 cancer patients, integrated with KSh 550,000/year treatment coverage.
• Post-Surgical Care: Remote rehabilitation monitoring for stroke and amputation patients, costing KSh 20,000–50,000/year.

By September 2025, ECCIF supports 50,000 telemonitored cases, with 15% for NCDs, per MoH data.

4. Digital and Financial Innovations

• Biometric Verification: Ensures fraud-free teleconsultations, rejecting KSh 10.7 billion in false claims.
• Direct Payments: SHA disbursed KSh 8 billion to facilities, including 100 telemedicine-enabled sites.
• Subsidies: 1.5 million indigent households access free telemedicine, with 3.3 million means-tested.
• Partnerships: Safaricom’s M-Pesa and Airtel Money facilitate teleconsultation payments, while MyDawa delivers drugs post-consultation.

Impact on Healthcare Delivery

SHA’s telemedicine options have transformative effects:

• Increased Access: 4.5 million treatments without out-of-pocket costs, with 20% via telemedicine, reaching 500,000 monthly users.
• Rural Reach: Teleconsultations serve 40% of rural patients, reducing travel costs by 30% in counties like Garissa (MoH, 2025).
• Equity Gains: 35% female registrants use teleconsultations for maternal care, per GeoPoll.
• Efficiency: Telemedicine cuts hospital visits by 15%, saving KSh 2 billion annually (Cytonn, 2025).

X posts praise “#SHAWorks for rural teleconsults” but note connectivity issues in remote areas.

Challenges in Delivering Telemedicine

SHA faces hurdles:

• Funding Deficits: Claims (KSh 9.7 billion/month) outstrip collections (KSh 6 billion), with only 900,000 of 16.7 million informal workers contributing, threatening scalability.
• Digital Divide: Only 42% of Kenyans have internet access, with rural areas (20% connectivity) lagging (KNBS 2023). GeoPoll notes 10% report USSD/app glitches.
• Facility Gaps: Only 56% of facilities (8,813) are contracted, with telemedicine limited to 300 sites, mostly urban.
• Workforce Training: Only 1,000 health workers trained for telemedicine, limiting capacity (MoH, 2023).
• Public Trust: X sentiment (70% negative) cites NHIF scandals and a KSh 104.8 billion project ownership controversy, with users like @C_NyaKundiH questioning reliability.

Practical Guidance for Accessing Telemedicine

For Kenyans seeking SHA telemedicine:

1. Register with SHA: Use *147#, www.sha.go.ke, or CHPs; include dependents for family coverage.
2. Undergo Means-Testing: Apply for subsidies if low-income via *147# or CHPs.
3. Access Teleconsultations: Dial *147# for basic consultations or use Practice 360 for specialist visits.
4. Verify Facilities: Check SHA’s website for telemedicine-enabled hospitals.
5. Ensure Contributions: Pay KSh 300–1,375/month via M-Pesa (Paybill 222111) to access SHIF/ECCIF.
6. Report Issues: Contact SHA’s toll-free line (0800-720-531) or X (@SHACareKe).

Future Outlook for Telemedicine

SHA aims for 80% coverage by 2028, requiring 10 million informal sector contributors to close the KSh 4 billion funding gap. Planned initiatives include:

• Infrastructure Investment: A KSh 194 billion UAE loan to equip 500 facilities with telemedicine units.
• Workforce Training: 2,000 health workers to be trained for telehealth by 2027.
• Digital Scaling: Full e-GPS and DHIS2 integration by FY2025/26 for real-time monitoring.
• Expanded Services: Tele-psychiatry and tele-rehabilitation by 2026.

The Kenya Digital Health Strategy projects telemedicine could serve 60% of rural patients by 2030, saving KSh 15 billion annually.

Conclusion

SHA’s telemedicine options—spanning teleconsultations, remote diagnostics, and chronic disease monitoring—revolutionize access for Kenya’s 26.7 million enrolled, delivering 20% of 4.5 million zero-cost treatments. By leveraging PHCF, SHIF, and ECCIF, SHA addresses rural gaps and NCD burdens, aligning with Kenya’s digital health goals. Challenges like funding deficits, digital divides, and workforce shortages require proactive engagement—registering, verifying facilities, and using digital platforms. As SHA advances toward UHC 2030, telemedicine can bridge Kenya’s healthcare divide, ensuring equitable care for all, from urban slums to remote pastoralist communities.

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