The Social Health Authority (SHA) has announced that Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan services are now available under its health insurance cover, marking a significant step in improving access to advanced cancer diagnostics in Kenya.
The development is expected to ease financial barriers faced by patients requiring specialized imaging for cancer detection, staging and treatment monitoring.
PET scans are considered a critical diagnostic tool in oncology due to their ability to detect metabolic activity within tissues, enabling clinicians to identify cancer presence and progression with high precision.
Approved facilities offering PET scan services
SHA confirmed that patients can access PET scan services at the following accredited facilities:
- Cancer Care Kenya
- Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTTRH)
- Nairobi West Hospital
- RFH Specialist Hospital
- Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi
- Ultra Diagnostic Centre Limited
The inclusion of both public and private healthcare providers reflects a blended service delivery model aimed at expanding capacity and geographical accessibility.
Reducing financial burden in cancer diagnosis
Advanced imaging technologies such as PET scans have historically been costly, often requiring out-of-pocket payments that limited access for many patients.
By incorporating PET scan services into SHA coverage, the government aims to reduce catastrophic health expenditure among cancer patients and support earlier diagnosis, which is closely linked to improved treatment outcomes.
Health economists note that improved diagnostic access can also lower long-term healthcare costs by enabling earlier intervention and reducing the need for complex late-stage treatments.
Strengthening Kenya’s oncology ecosystem
The rollout aligns with Kenya’s broader efforts to strengthen cancer care infrastructure, including investments in specialized treatment centres, screening programmes and workforce development.
Expanded diagnostic capacity is expected to support oncologists in treatment planning, radiation therapy targeting and monitoring response to chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Industry stakeholders also view the move as a signal of growing integration between health financing reforms and clinical service delivery under Kenya’s universal health coverage agenda.
Implications for healthcare providers and insurers
For healthcare providers, SHA reimbursement for PET scan services may encourage additional investment in diagnostic equipment, radiopharmaceutical supply chains and specialized personnel.
Private sector hospitals offering oncology services could experience increased patient volumes as financial access improves, potentially accelerating the return on high-capital diagnostic infrastructure.
Meanwhile, insurers and health financing agencies may leverage utilization data from PET scan coverage to refine actuarial models and future benefit package design.
Public encouraged to verify eligibility and referral pathways
SHA advised patients seeking PET scan services to confirm eligibility, referral requirements and appointment procedures through official channels, including its toll-free helpline and website.
Proper referral protocols remain essential to ensure appropriate utilization of high-cost diagnostic services and maintain sustainability of the health insurance fund.
The authority also reiterated its commitment to continuously update the public on benefit package enhancements as healthcare reforms progress.
