Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale has announced changes to systems that will immediately discontinue the use of One-Time Passwords (OTP) under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The passwords have been previously used for authorizing patient care approvals across the country.
Speaking during a press briefing on digital health reforms on Monday, August 4, Duale stated that health facilities and doctors must now use either biometric health IDs or the official Practice 360 app to approve services.
Therefore, Healthcare workers will now be required to verify patient identity through biometric verification, including fingerprints, or process requests through the newly launched Practice 360.
With immediate effect, SHA will no longer accept OTP based authorization. Let me make it very clear for our health facilities and doctors.
All approvals must be completed using either a biometric health ID or the Practice 360 app.
Also Read: Duale Announces New Rules for Referral Hospitals and Patients
Why Govt is Moving the SHA Verification System
According to the CS, the move will help enhance data integrity and eliminate fraud and fake health claims in SHA and other state-backed health platforms.
The newly launched Practice 360 is a digital app designed to integrate health services, billing, and identity authentication.
Moreover, it will serve as the central platform for healthcare providers, allowing them to process claims, authenticate patient details, and manage care services digitally.
“This biometric will help us eliminate fraud and misuse of benefits. It will also reduce paperwork, cut down on long queues, and allow our health workers to spend more time on actual patient care,” added Duale.
Also Read: Duale Responds to 70-Year-Old Man Who Exposed SHA Gaps for Cancer Patients
Duale Issues Ultimatum to Pharmaceuticals
At the same time, Duale issued a 30-day ultimatum to pharmaceutical companies.
He has directed that the companies upload their certified product data on the National Product Catalogue, or risk de-registration and de-listing from the authority.
Moreover, the catalogue is integrated with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB).
“All pharmaceutical companies must upload certified product data within 30 days. Non-compliance will lead to de-registration and de-listing from the SHA ecosystem,” he warned.
The CS explained that the changes are necessary to ensure the safety of Kenyans and the drugs that are prescribed.
“This catalogue ensures only authorized, safe, and approved pharmaceutical products are administered to Kenyans, eliminating counterfeit drugs,” he explained.
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