SHA Invites Overseas Healthcare Providers to Offer Specialized Services to Kenyans

The Social Health Authority (SHA) has opened invitations to qualified overseas healthcare providers to offer specialised medical services to its beneficiaries that are not available in Kenya.

The initiative aims to ensure that essential treatments, which cannot be provided locally, are delivered efficiently and safely to those in need.

The invitation issued under the Social Health Insurance (SHI) Act, No. 16 of 2023, targets providers of services under the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHC), the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF).

“The move seeks to ensure that beneficiaries can access interventions that are not easily accessible in Kenya,” said SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi.

Also, the Public Finance Management Act (Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund) Regulations Legal Notice 195 of 2024 requires SHA to operate and manage the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF).

Through its gazetted Benefits and Tariffs, SHA offers a benefit package that includes an Overseas Benefit Package.

Scope of Services

Mwangangi says that the Expressions of Interest (EOIs) target overseas providers capable of offering highly specialised medical interventions.

“For beneficiaries under the POMSF, the services covered shall include the interventions, which are not readily available in Kenya, as well as the ones that are negotiated and agreed between the Authority and the relevant overseas healthcare provider or health facility,” she said.

In the case of SHA beneficiaries, the Authority will purchase services which are restricted to procedures enumerated by the Benefits, Package, Tariffs and Pricing (BPTAP), and the complete list of which can be found on the SHA website and in the tender document.

In the case of POMSF beneficiaries, the services will also cover the mentioned interventions and specialised treatments referred and negotiated with the overseas provider.

Expenses will include lab investigations, imaging procedures, treatment procedures, pre- and post-treatment accommodation, follow-up visits such as fit-to-fly certification, inter-provider transfers in case of any emerging conditions, as well as any other incidental medical necessity expenses.

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Eligibility and Mandatory Requirements

According to Mwangangi, overseas healthcare providers who want to apply must comply with the required mandatory requirements, which include:

• Certificate of registration or incorporation under their country’s laws.
• Valid power of attorney authorising the signatory to bind the institution.
• Itemized cost list of services for SHA and POMSF beneficiaries
• Healthcare provider profile or corporate overview in PDF format
• Evidence of accreditation in their home country.
• Recognition by the relevant authority in Kenya.
• Collaboration with a Kenyan facility that would be able to provide follow-up care at KEPH Level V or VI.
• Legitimate certifications of expert physicians who offer the services.

“All mandatory documents must be submitted on the HCP’s official letterhead,d uly certified by a Notary Public, stamped, signed, and dated by an authorised signatory.

Any non-responsive submission shall be disqualified, though applicants may re-apply once all required documents are available,”she clarified.

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Application Process

The tender documents are available free of charge to eligible healthcare providers on the SHA website, Public Procurement Information Portal, local newspapers, and Kenyan embassies or high commissions.

Completed applications must be submitted electronically within 14 days of the start of the application period to tenders@sha.go.ke.

The Authority emphasized that incomplete submissions will automatically lapse but may be resubmitted as new applications.

Mwangangi added,” Successful applicants will be informed through email and will be required to sign a contract document within seven days, either physically or electronically via authorised signatories.

The accounting officer of SHA will then countersign the contracts.”

The contracting notice will remain continuously open and updated periodically as necessary.

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SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi speaking at a past event. PHOTO/pixels