DR. MERCY MWANGANGI UNVEILS SHA's VISION: STRENGTHENING REFORMS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, AND MEDIA COLLABORATION TO ADVANCE UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE

 

Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, CEO of the Social Health Authority, speaks during a media roundtable at Sarova Panafric, Nairobi, alongside other SHA officials during discussions on reforms, emergency care, and media collaboration.

By: Glad Tv Kenya reporter 

The Social Health Authority (SHA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi on  Friday 3rd October 2025, engaged journalists at a media roundtable held at Sarova Panafric, where she outlined the Authority’s vision to streamline health financing, enhance emergency response services, and strengthen collaboration with the media in advancing accurate and contextualized health reporting.

Dr. Mwangangi reaffirmed SHA’s central role in driving Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, emphasizing that the Authority is not only responsible for managing national health insurance funds but also ensuring that the financing structure supports equitable access to quality healthcare for all Kenyans. She noted that the SHA’s three funds the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund are designed to protect citizens from catastrophic medical expenses while ensuring sustainability in health financing.

She said the Authority is committed to clarifying its mandate and addressing past confusion among stakeholders following the transition from the former National Health Insurance Fund. “Our responsibility goes beyond collecting contributions we are building a fair, transparent, and efficient system that guarantees access to healthcare without financial hardship,” she said.

A key highlight of the roundtable was the unveiling of SHA’s role in spearheading the government’s new Emergency Rescue Service. Dr. Mwangangi revealed that the Authority is working on a coordinated emergency medical response system that will provide free evacuation and stabilization for patients in critical conditions such as maternity complications, heart attacks, strokes, and other emergencies. She noted that the service will be supported by a nationwide ambulance dispatch system linked to health facilities and existing emergency partners.

“Access to emergency care should not depend on how much one has in their pocket at that moment,” she said, adding that the program will cover the cost of emergency evacuation and ensure that patients receive immediate care within the first 24 hours. The initiative, she explained, is part of the broader effort to make UHC a lived reality for every Kenyan by addressing the most life-threatening gaps in the system.

Dr. Mwangangi also emphasized the importance of working closely with the media to strengthen public understanding of SHA’s reforms and health financing mechanisms. She called for responsible, factual, and well-contextualized reporting, noting that the media plays a vital role in shaping public trust and accountability in healthcare delivery.

“When you report from full information, citizens are served and accountability is deeper,” she said. She added that SHA plans to hold regular engagements with journalists, provide detailed data dashboards, and share educational materials to demystify complex health financing processes such as claims management and provider accreditation.

The discussion concluded with a call for continuous collaboration between SHA and the media to ensure that the public receives accurate information on the Authority’s operations, ongoing reforms, and the transformative steps being taken to strengthen Kenya’s health system.

“Report what is verifiable; give providers the space to respond; allow SHA to present evidence,” Dr. Mwangangi urged, highlighting the need for balanced reporting as SHA implements its reforms.

The media roundtable reflected the Authority’s commitment to transparency, partnership, and citizen-centered service delivery as it takes the lead in advancing Kenya’s universal health agenda.