Efforts to avoid pitfalls that have characterised the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) journey got a boost yesterday when the Ministry of Health inaugurated a 15-member Benefits Package and Tariff Advisory Panel (BPTAP) to drive the programme.

The panel, chaired by Prof Walter Jaoko, will provide technical guidance to the ministry and the Social Health Authority (SHA) on designing and reviewing health benefits packages, updating tariffs, and identifying priority interventions.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also named Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth to support the panel through a Secretariat that has been tasked with spearheading the implementation of UHC.

Speaking during the inauguration, Duale underscored the importance of a structured, data-informed approach to health policy.

“This panel is central to ensuring that what we offer under UHC is aligned with national needs, is affordable for the people and is financially sustainable,” said the CS, pointing out that the government’s goal is to deliver healthcare that leaves no one behind.

The Secretariat will be hosted at the University of Nairobi’s College of Health Sciences, symbolising a strong partnership between the State, academia, civil society and the private sector.

“This collaboration will ensure transparency, accountability, and broaden stakeholders’ input,” the CS added.

The panel

Key areas of concern as the panel, which was established through Gazette Notice No. 5044 of April 23, 2025, formally takes charge include the design and regular review of health benefits packages through Health Technology Assessment (HTA), updating healthcare tariffs to ensure cost-effectiveness and affordability, and identifying priority interventions that are currently unavailable but urgently needed.

Duale added that the panel will assess disease burden, population health needs, and service accessibility to inform decision-making, while also fostering inclusive stakeholder engagement across the healthcare ecosystem.

Policy regulations

The panel will also be tasked with identifying essential health interventions that are currently unavailable in Kenya, through assessing disease burden, populations’ health needs and access to services to guide policy decisions.

“The panel will engage stakeholders including healthcare providers and the public to foster inclusive policy making. Supporting evidence synthesis will aid the Ministry of Health and Social Health Authority in structuring benefits packages and tariffs,” Duale noted.

Other key areas that need to be addressed include the lack of policy regulations in the current free market module, which lacks price control for health services and products.

The tariff unbundling that entails disaggregating costs for consultations, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals complicates reimbursement models, while bundled tariffs may not guarantee value for patients or the fund.

The ministry is also targeting to address the Outpatients and Inpatient Service Modelling, especially at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, including simulation of provider payment mechanisms.