Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has lauded the Taifa Care Support Centre, calling it a major step forward in Kenya’s journey toward citizen-focused healthcare.
In a statement on Tuesday, Duale said the centre which runs the 147 hotline has received more than one million calls since the Social Health Authority (SHA) was launched in October 2024.
“This platform is about building trust. It connects Kenyans directly with providers and government, ensuring that people’s concerns shape how we deliver healthcare,” he said.
Powered by the Digital Health Agency, the Taifa Care Centre helps resolve issues in real time and provides feedback to improve services.
The CS added that the ministry is also embracing technology to expand access, with plans underway to introduce AI-powered chatbots to make services even more user-friendly.
Duale urged Kenyans who have not yet registered to sign up via *147# or through the AfyaYangu platform, and to report any service concerns using the toll-free 147 number.
The initiative is a key part of President William Ruto’s manifesto on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which aims to deliver affordable, quality healthcare to every household.
Taifa Care is anchored on legislation passed in 2023 and runs on three funds: the tax-funded Primary Healthcare Fund, the Emergency, Critical, and Chronic Illnesses Fund, and the contributory Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Salaried Kenyans contribute 2.75% of their monthly income to SHIF, while non-salaried members make an annual contribution.