SHA Overseas Treatment: Which Hospitals Are Approved & How to Apply | Spicas Nursing Home
Health PolicySHA UpdateApril 25, 2026· Last updated: April 25, 2026
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Clinical Communications Team — Spicas Nursing Home
Health Policy · Patient Education · SHA Guidance
SHA Overseas Treatment Package 2026 — Spicas Nursing Home
If You’re Abroad and You Get Sick —
Here’s What Your SHA Cover
Can Now Do For You.
Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA) launched its overseas treatment package on April 14, 2026. For the first time under the new social health insurance system, eligible Kenyan patients can access funding for specialised medical care at nine contracted international hospitals in India, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia — covering up to KES 500,000 per patient per year. This week is also World Immunization Week (April 24–30, 2026). We are covering everything you need to know about your SHA healthcare rights — at home and abroad.
World Immunization Week 2026: Why It Matters Right Now
World Immunization Week is observed every year in the last week of April. In 2026, the World Health Organisation’s theme is “For every generation, vaccines work” — a reminder that vaccine protection is not just for children, but for every stage of life: infancy, adolescence, working years, and older age.
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World Immunization Week 2026 · April 24–30
“For every generation, vaccines work.”
WHO’s 2026 theme celebrates over 200 years of immunisation protecting families and communities — and calls on all of us to stay up to date, including before any international travel for medical treatment.
World Immunization Week 2026 — April 24 to 30. Theme: “For every generation, vaccines work.” — WHO
This theme takes on particular relevance this week because, for the first time under SHA, Kenyan patients are eligible to travel abroad for funded specialised medical care. If you or a family member are considering overseas treatment — or simply travelling internationally — your immunisation status matters before you board that flight.
150M+
lives saved by vaccines in the last 50 years globally
40%
improvement in infant survival attributed to immunisation
6
lives saved by vaccines every minute of every day, for five decades
At Spicas Nursing Home, we encourage all our patients and community members to check their immunisation records this week. Before any international trip — including medical travel to India, Turkey, or Saudi Arabia under the SHA overseas package — consult your healthcare provider about recommended travel vaccines. Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus, and Meningococcal disease vaccines are commonly advised for these destinations. Some countries may also require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for travellers transiting through sub-Saharan Africa.
SHA’s Overseas Treatment Package: What Changed on April 14, 2026
SHA’s overseas treatment package is now live — nine contracted hospitals across three countries.
SHA Policy Update · Live from April 14, 2026
Kenya Now Has Nine Contracted International Hospitals
SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi confirmed on April 10, 2026 that the overseas treatment package is operational. “We have heard you. There has been a lot of hue and cry from Kenyans wanting to access this package and we have finally been able to meet the merits of the law and do the contracting process,” she said.
The package covers up to KES 500,000 per patient per year for eligible procedures at nine internationally accredited hospitals. SHA pays the hospital directly — patients do not need to fundraise for medical costs at contracted facilities within the approved amount.
The initiative is anchored in the Social Health Insurance Act, No. 16 of 2023, and covers beneficiaries under SHIF, ECCIF, and POMSF.
This is a significant shift from the former NHIF model. Under the previous arrangement, SHA could not legally remit payments to overseas facilities until a formal procurement process was concluded. That process is now complete.
The First Nine: SHA’s Contracted Overseas Hospitals
SHA has contracted nine hospitals in three countries — Turkey, India, and Saudi Arabia. All contracted facilities hold international accreditation and have established partnerships with Kenyan healthcare providers for follow-up care upon patient return.
SHA’s contracted overseas hospitals span Turkey (4), India (2), and Saudi Arabia (3). Map: Spicas Nursing Home.
🇹🇷Turkey4 hospitals — Acıbadem Healthcare Group
1
Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University Atakent Hospital
JCI-accredited academic medical centre and teaching hospital. Specialises in oncology, cardiovascular surgery, organ transplantation, and robotic surgery.
JCI Accredited
2
Acıbadem Maslak Hospital
The largest facility in the Acıbadem network. JCI-accredited and LEED Gold-certified. Known for advanced cancer care including MR-Linac radiation technology, spine health, and robotic-assisted surgery.
JCI · LEED Gold
3
Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital
Part of the Acıbadem network. Offers advanced specialist treatment across multiple disciplines including oncology and cardiac care.
Acıbadem Group
4
Acıbadem Adana Hospital
Regional flagship of the Acıbadem network in southern Turkey. Delivers comprehensive specialist and surgical care.
Major multi-specialty chain with NABH and AACI accreditation, operating across five Indian states. Specialises in cardiac sciences, organ transplantation, neurosciences, and quaternary care.
NABH · AACI
6
Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai
India’s first JCI-accredited cancer hospital and the only proton therapy centre in South Asia and the Middle East. Offers a fully integrated oncology suite spanning surgical, radiation, and medical oncology, with robotic surgery central to cancer management.
JCI · Proton Therapy
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3 hospitals
7
Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital, Jeddah
The first private hospital in Saudi Arabia to receive JCI accreditation (2006). An academic medical centre with multiple national firsts: first IVF procedure, first private-sector kidney transplant, and first robotic surgery programme in the private sector.
JCI · Since 2006
8
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre
A globally recognised non-profit referral institution. A leader in complex oncology, genomic medicine, and intricate transplant procedures. One of the most advanced referral hospitals in the Middle East.
Non-Profit Referral
9
Additional Saudi Provider
A ninth provider has been contracted in Saudi Arabia. SHA’s contracting process remains open and the list will be updated as additional facilities are empanelled. Always verify the current list at sha.go.ke before planning any medical travel.
Verify at SHA
The SHA contracting process remains open. Additional facilities may be added at any time. Always verify at sha.go.ke before planning medical travel.
What Is and Is Not Covered
SHA has published a list of 36 medical conditions eligible for overseas treatment — those confirmed as genuinely unavailable within Kenya by the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel (BPTAP). Notably, some procedures that previously sent Kenyans to India are no longer eligible because local capacity now exists.
✓ Still Eligible for Overseas
Paediatric kidney transplants
Proton therapy for cancer (Apollo, Chennai)
Complex congenital heart conditions in children
Advanced procedures in SHA’s approved 36-condition list
POMSF additional specialised treatments
✕ No Longer Eligible (Local Capacity Exists)
Adult kidney transplants
Hip and knee replacements
Procedures available at Kenyan Level V or VI facilities
General medical care available locally
SHA Overseas Package — Full Coverage Summary
Annual coverage cap per patientKES 500,000
Medical evaluations and investigations abroadCovered
Treatment procedures at contracted hospitalCovered
Follow-up care on return to KenyaCovered (via linked local provider)
International flights / airfareNot covered
Other travel and logistical expensesNot covered
Costs above the KES 500,000 capPatient’s responsibility
Does SHA cover flights for overseas treatment?
No. SHA covers medical procedures only, up to KES 500,000 per year at contracted overseas hospitals. International flights, accommodation, meals, and all other travel costs remain the patient’s responsibility and must be arranged and funded independently. Families should begin planning and saving for travel costs well in advance of any approved referral.
Is active SHA membership required to access overseas treatment?
Yes. Active SHIF membership is mandatory. A lapsed membership disqualifies you from the overseas package entirely. Verify or renew your membership status at afyayangu.go.ke or by dialling USSD code *147#. Do not wait until you need the package to check your status.
How to Access the Overseas Treatment Package — Step by Step
The SHA overseas referral process begins with your Kenyan doctor. Spicas Nursing Home can guide you through every step.
The SHA referral process for overseas treatment is structured and requires a full set of documents. Here is the complete process as confirmed by SHA CEO Dr. Mwangangi:
1
See a Doctor in Kenya First
Get assessed by a qualified Kenyan doctor who confirms in writing that your condition cannot be managed locally. This assessment must come from a recognised healthcare facility. This is the mandatory starting point — no overseas referral is valid without it.
2
Obtain a KMPDC Referral Form
Your Kenyan doctor must complete a Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) referral form, certified by the regulator. This form is mandatory — without it, your SHA application will not proceed.
3
Get a Treatment Plan from an Overseas Hospital
Contact one of SHA’s nine contracted overseas hospitals directly. Obtain a formal treatment plan and a proforma invoice stating the expected cost of treatment. The hospital must be on SHA’s contracted list — treatment at non-contracted facilities will not be covered.
4
Compile and Submit Your SHA Application
Assemble all required documents: a SHA referral form confirming active SHIF membership, your full medical report, the KMPDC referral, the overseas treatment plan, and the proforma invoice. Submit the complete package to SHA for review.
5
SHA Internal Medical Review
SHA’s internal team of doctors and specialists reviews your case to confirm: (a) the procedure is genuinely unavailable locally, and (b) the request meets SHA’s approved criteria for overseas treatment. This review cannot be bypassed.
6
Travel and Receive Treatment
Once approved, SHA pays the contracted overseas hospital directly for covered costs up to KES 500,000. You arrange your own travel and accommodation. Upon returning to Kenya, your follow-up care is handled by your linked local provider, who notifies SHA. SHA closes your file and processes payment within two weeks of your return.
“When we complete the procurement process, we will publish the names of those facilities — whether in India, Turkey, or Germany — with which SHA has contracted and has agreements with.”
— Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, SHA CEO, April 10, 2026
Immunisation Before International Medical Travel
In the spirit of World Immunization Week 2026, here is a step that Kenyan patients often overlook before medical travel abroad: checking your own vaccine status.
Are vaccines required before travelling abroad for medical care?
Depending on your destination, certain vaccines are recommended or required before international travel. For patients travelling to India, Turkey, or Saudi Arabia under the SHA overseas treatment package, Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, and Tetanus are commonly advised. Some destinations may require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination for travellers transiting through sub-Saharan Africa. Influenza vaccines are generally recommended before any hospitalisation. Speak to your doctor or visit Spicas Nursing Home before departing for pre-travel immunisation advice.
This World Immunization Week, the WHO’s message is clear: vaccines protect you at every stage of life — including when you are navigating a healthcare system in another country. Do not travel for medical care without first ensuring your immunisations are up to date. At Spicas Nursing Home, our clinical team can advise on appropriate pre-travel vaccines and ensure your records are in order before any international healthcare journey.
The Bigger Picture: SHA, Universal Health Coverage, and You
SHA’s overseas package is part of a broader ambition: genuine Universal Health Coverage for all Kenyans. The Social Health Insurance Act, No. 16 of 2023, mandates that every Kenyan can access quality healthcare — from a community health post to a JCI-accredited oncology centre in Istanbul. The launch of these nine contracted overseas hospitals is the first chapter of what SHA has indicated will be an expanding network.
For most Kenyans, the SHA journey begins locally — at a clinic, nursing home, or referral hospital. The overseas package only becomes relevant after local options are genuinely exhausted. SHA is also working to resolve an estimated KES 200 million debt owed to overseas facilities by the former NHIF — funds that will be released after verification is complete.
Your SHIF contributions matter. Keep them active. A lapsed membership disqualifies you from the overseas package entirely. Verify your status at afyayangu.go.ke or dial *147#.
Speak with the Spicas Team Before You Travel
Whether you are navigating an SHA referral, need help understanding your SHIF membership, require pre-travel immunisation advice, or want a clinical second opinion before flying — our team is here. We help Kenyans access the care they need, starting right here at home.
Disclaimer: This article reflects SHA policy as publicly confirmed in April 2026. Specific coverage amounts, eligible conditions, and contracted hospitals may change. Always verify current SHA policy directly at sha.go.ke or via the Kenya Gazette before making any healthcare decisions. Spicas Nursing Home is not affiliated with SHA and does not process SHA overseas referrals on SHA’s behalf. This content does not constitute medical or legal advice.
SHASocial Health AuthoritySHIFOverseas Treatment KenyaWorld Immunization Week 2026Acıbadem TurkeyApollo Proton Cancer CentreKIMS Hospital IndiaKing Faisal Hospital Saudi ArabiaMedical Travel KenyaVaccines KenyaSpicas Nursing Home
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