Kenya’s push to deliver better healthcare under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme has received a major boost, with the TaifaCare Support Centre logging more than one million calls since it opened its lines less than a year ago.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday visited the Nairobi-based hub, which runs the toll-free number 147, to review its impact in connecting Kenyans to vital health services.
The Ministry of Health says the centre, operated by the Digital Health Agency, has become an important bridge between citizens, health providers, and government agencies, offering real-time support to patients across the country.
To expand its reach, the ministry is preparing to roll out AI-powered chatbots that will allow Kenyans to access health services and lodge complaints at any time of day.
“This is about building a responsive, transparent, and efficient healthcare system,” the ministry noted in a statement, encouraging Kenyans to register for TaifaCare through *147# or the AfyaYangu platform.
The milestone comes as the country transitions fully into the Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) in October 2024. The new scheme is anchored on three funds: the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.
Under SHA, all citizens are required to register. Contributions are pegged at 2.75% of gross income for salaried workers, while households in the low-income bracket pay a flat Ksh300.
