Kenya: DHA CEO Explains Referral System Amid Sha Outpatient Access Concerns

Nairobi - The Digital Health Agency (DHA) is taking steps to improve healthcare access by connecting hospitals, health insurers, patients and medicine suppliers through digital systems, according to its CEO Anthony Lenayara. Speaking on Capital In The Morning, Lenayara explained the agency's mandate and addressed concerns about outpatient service access under the Social Health Authority (SHA). Despite complaints from Nairobi County Chief Officer Geoffrey Mosiria, Lenayara emphasized that SHA is operational.

Lenayara clarified that patients should typically visit Level 2 to Level 4 facilities for routine outpatient care, with higher-level hospitals handling more complex cases. The DHA aims to improve healthcare coordination by enabling information sharing between hospitals, health financing systems and providers through digital platforms. The agency is responsible for protecting health data, ensuring interoperability among systems, and standardising digital processes to enhance patient access to healthcare services.

As per the Digital Health Act 2023, the DHA safeguards Kenyan citizens' sensitive health information, ensuring proper storage, transmission and restricted access. The agency aims to enable seamless patient transitions between hospitals, preventing unnecessary repeat tests due to unavailable medical records. Lenayara highlighted the importance of digitising processes to reduce paperwork, administrative costs and waiting times in hospitals.