Kenya's Social Health Authority (SHA) — which officially replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in October 2024 — has transformed healthcare access across the country by contracting an expanding network of public, private, and faith-based facilities. For residents of Kisii County, this shift is particularly significant. Kisii County, located in the Nyanza region of western Kenya with a population of over 1.3 million people, now has a growing list of SHA-accredited private hospitals where registered members can access affordable, quality medical care under the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Quick Reference: SHA Accredited Private Hospitals in Kisii County
| # | Hospital Name | Level | Location | Key Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hema Hospital | Level 5 | Kitutu Chache South, Kisii Town | Maternity, Cardiology, Urology, Surgery, ICU |
| 2 | Mediforte Hospital Limited | Level 4/5 | Mediforte Building, Kisii Town | Oncology, Dialysis, Radiology, ICU/HDU, Gynecology |
| 3 | Oasis Specialist Hospital | Level 4 | Near KMTC, Kisii Town | Neurology, Urology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics |
| 4 | Ram Hospital Ltd | Level 5 | Next to Kisii Law Courts, Kisii Town | Inpatient/Outpatient, Surgery, Maternity, 24/7 Emergency |
| 5 | Aga Khan Medical Centre | Level 4 | Sakawa Road, Kisii Town | Emergency, Maternity, Neonatal, Trauma |
| 6 | Nyangena Hospital | Level 4 | Kitutu Chache South, Kisii County | Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Gynecology, Laboratory |
| 7 | Christamarianne Mission Hospital | Level 4 (Faith-Based) | Kisii County | Maternity (Linda Mama), Surgery, Diagnostics |
| 8 | Tabaka Mission Hospital | Level 4 (Faith-Based) | South Mugirango, Kisii County | Maternity (Linda Mama), Surgery, General Medicine |
What Is SHA and Why Does It Matter?
The Social Health Authority (SHA) was established under the Social Health Insurance Act of 2023 as part of Kenya's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. It replaced the aging NHIF framework with a more inclusive structure that pools healthcare funding across three funds: the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund (ECCIF). For Kisii County residents, SHA accreditation of private hospitals means that members can walk into any contracted facility, present their SHA registration details, and access covered services — from outpatient consultations and maternity care to surgery and chronic disease management — with significantly reduced out-of-pocket expenses. The SHA's Linda Mama program, in particular, ensures that maternal healthcare services are available free of charge at accredited hospitals for registered members.
Detailed Profiles of SHA Accredited Private Hospitals
1. Hema Hospital
Hema Hospital is one of the most prominent Level 5 private facilities in Kisii County and operates on a 24/7 basis. It is fully accredited under SHA and offers a comprehensive range of services including maternity care, urology, cardiology, radiology, and major surgeries performed in modern operating theatres. The hospital is equipped with a state-of-the-art Accident & Emergency unit and critical care facilities, making it the go-to private option for serious and complex medical cases in the region.
Location: Kitutu Chache South, Kisii Town | Website: www.hemahospital.co.ke
2. Mediforte Hospital Limited
Mediforte Hospital is a flagship private hospital and a unit of the Nairobi-based Meditest Group. With a 100-bed capacity, it is one of the most comprehensively equipped private hospitals in the county. Services include outpatient and inpatient care, oncology and chemotherapy, dialysis, ICU and HDU management, radiology, cardiology, pathology, and gynecology. The hospital has well-equipped operation theatres capable of handling all major surgical procedures. As a SHA-contracted facility, it accepts the SHIF card and also participates in the SHA Lipa Pole Pole flexible payment initiative.
Location: Mediforte Building, Kisii Town | Website: www.medifortehospital.com
3. Oasis Specialist Hospital
Established in 2010, Oasis Specialist Hospital operates a group practice model that brings together over 40 consultants under one roof, making it unique among private providers in Kisii County. It offers specialized care in pediatrics, neurology, urology, oncology, gynecology, and orthopedics. SHA accreditation means that members can access this high-quality specialist care at reduced personal cost, making advanced medicine more accessible to ordinary Kisii residents.
Location: Near KMTC, Kisii Town | Website: www.oasishealthcaregroup.com
4. Ram Hospital Ltd
Ram Hospital is a Level 5 SHA-accredited facility with a 120-inpatient-bed capacity, located conveniently next to the Kisii Law Courts. Operating around the clock, it provides a broad spectrum of preventive and curative services tailored to the diverse needs of Kisii County residents. The hospital maintains permanent resident medical officers and specialists who coordinate inpatient care including diagnostics such as X-rays and blood work, specialty referrals, and post-discharge follow-up planning. Ram Hospital is noted for its emphasis on affordability and compassionate care regardless of the patient's background.
Location: Adjacent to Kisii Law Courts, Kisii Town | Website: www.ramhospital.co.ke
5. Aga Khan Medical Centre, Kisii
Commissioned in 2005, the Aga Khan Medical Centre in Kisii operates as an outreach center of Aga Khan Health Services, one of East Africa's most respected healthcare networks. It provides 24-hour emergency care, maternity services, neonatal monitoring, and treatment for trauma, appendicitis, and other acute conditions. The facility has semi-private rooms and advanced monitoring equipment for adult, pediatric, and neonatal patients. Its SHA accreditation ensures that members can access quality Aga Khan-standard care without the full out-of-pocket financial burden.
Location: Sakawa Road, Kisii Town | Phone: +254 734 341 425 | Website: www.agakhanhospitals.org
6. Nyangena Hospital
Nyangena Hospital is a private SHA-accredited facility offering services in orthopedics, pediatrics, gynecology, pharmacy, laboratory diagnostics, and general medical consultations. Established to provide affordable and sustainable healthcare to the Kisii community, Nyangena is particularly valued for its orthopaedic services — a specialty that remains in high demand in the region. SHA registration allows patients to access these services at subsidized rates through the SHIF coverage framework.
Location: Kitutu Chache South, Kisii County
7. Christamarianne Mission Hospital
Operated by the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Joseph, Christamarianne Mission Hospital is a faith-based facility that holds SHA accreditation and participates in the Linda Mama free maternity program. Services include comprehensive maternal and child health care, surgical procedures, ultrasound scanning, and laboratory diagnostics. The hospital is known for its compassionate, patient-centered model of care rooted in its Catholic mission values.
Location: Kisii County (contact hospital for precise address)
8. Tabaka Mission Hospital
Tabaka Mission Hospital, located in South Mugirango, is a well-established faith-based institution that has served the Kisii community for decades. It is SHA-accredited and offers free maternal care under the Linda Mama program, alongside general medicine, surgery, and diagnostic care. The hospital is widely respected for its commitment to maternal and child health safety standards. For expectant SHA members seeking quality and affordable maternity care outside of a public facility, Tabaka Mission is a trusted choice.
Location: South Mugirango, Kisii County
How to Access SHA Services at These Hospitals
To benefit from SHA coverage at any of the accredited private hospitals listed above, residents must:
- Register with SHA — Registration can be completed at sha.go.ke, any Huduma Centre, or directly at an accredited facility.
- Verify the hospital's SHA status — Use the Kenya Master Health Facility Registry (kmhfl.health.go.ke) or sha.go.ke to confirm a facility's accreditation.
- Carry your SHA card or ID — Present your SHA registration details at the facility's reception.
- Confirm specialized service coverage — Some advanced procedures may involve co-payments. Always inquire beforehand about SHA coverage for specialist treatments such as oncology or dialysis.
The expansion of SHA accreditation to private hospitals in Kisii County represents a landmark step in democratizing access to quality healthcare. Facilities like Hema Hospital, Mediforte, Oasis Specialist Hospital, and Ram Hospital now serve as critical pillars in the county's healthcare architecture — offering services that would otherwise be financially inaccessible to many residents. Whether you need emergency trauma care, specialist oncology, maternal services under Linda Mama, or routine inpatient management, Kisii County's SHA-accredited private hospitals offer a diverse and growing network to meet those needs. Residents are encouraged to register with SHA promptly to ensure they can fully utilize these benefits.
Information sourced from the Social Health Authority (SHA), Kenya Master Health Facility Registry (KMHFL), Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), and individual hospital records as at early 2026. Always verify accreditation status directly with the facility or at sha.go.ke before visiting.
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