Kenya, April 24 -- Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has set up a new group called the Social Health Authority Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel. This group has 16 members and will help him and the CEO of the Social Health Authority with the new national insurance plan.

In a special announcement on Wednesday, the CS named Professor Walter G. Jaoko as the chairperson of this panel. Health Director General Patrick Amoth is also part of the group.

The announcement explained that this panel was created to advise on important health benefits and costs as part of the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024.

Other members of the panel include Nehemiah Odera, Margaret Macharia, Hajara El Busaidy, Robert Rapando, Gabriel Muswali, Mary Kigasia Amuyunzu-Nyamongo, and Walter Oyamo Obita. Additional members are Valeria Makory, Stephen Kaboro, Francis Motiri, Christine Wambugu, Tabitha Okech, Patricia Nyokabi, and Abdiaziz Abdikadir Ahmed.

All members of the panel are doctors, and they will work together for the next three years.

Duale's decision comes as many Kenyans have raised concerns about the Social Health Authority and its effectiveness. He has also promised to fight against corrupt practices in the ministry that are making it hard for progress to happen.

"I will confront the cartels directly with the support of the president," Duale stated.

At the same time, Duale has created another special committee to look into a serious organ transplant issue in the country. He appointed 16 people to investigate Mediheal Hospital, which has been in the news for possible illegal organ transplants.

In his statement, Duale said, "The Cabinet Secretary for Health has put together a group called the Independent Investigative Committee on Tissue and Organ Transplant Services."

This committee will be led by Professor Elizabeth Bukusi and will work for the next three months. Their main job is to look into the transplant cases, check the hospital's practices, and talk to surgeons, nephrologists, anesthetists, hospital staff, and patients (both donors and recipients).

The committee will also review current health policies and rules about organ transplants in the country and then report its findings back to the Cabinet Secretary.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.