Kenya's Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) in October 2024, has fundamentally transformed how Kenyans access healthcare. Under the SHA framework, residents can receive medical services at accredited facilities countrywide without paying out of pocket at the point of care, provided they are registered and up to date with their contributions. Migori County, located in the Nyanza region of western Kenya, has embraced this transition robustly. Of its approximately 321 health facilities, 263 are contracted under SHA, spanning public, private, faith-based, and NGO-operated institutions. Since October 2024, the county has received over Ksh 1.9 billion in SHA claims, with more than 289,000 hospital visits recorded — a testament to the scheme's growing impact on healthcare access.
This article focuses specifically on SHA-accredited private hospitals in Migori County, providing residents with a clear guide to facilities where they can utilize their SHA cover for quality medical services.
Summary Table: SHA Accredited Private Hospitals in Migori County
| # | Hospital Name | Location | Level | Key Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LifeCare Hospitals, Migori | Sirare Road, Migori Town | Level 4 | General medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, orthopedics, dialysis, dental |
| 2 | St. Akidiva Memorial Hospital | Suna, Migori | Level 4 | General medicine, maternity, minor surgery |
| 3 | St. Joseph's Mission Hospital Migori | Migori Town | Level 4 | General medicine, surgery, maternity, pediatrics |
| 4 | St. Scholastica Uzima Hospital | Migori County | Level 4 | Inpatient, outpatient, maternity, basic surgery |
| 5 | St. Camillus Mission Hospital Karungu | Karungu, Suba Sub-County | Level 4 | General medicine, maternity, outpatient |
| 6 | St. Monica Hospital (Rapogi) | Rapogi, Uriri Sub-County | Level 3B/4 | Maternity, outpatient, general medicine |
| 7 | St. Mary's Mission Hospital | Migori County | Level 4 | Inpatient, outpatient, maternity |
| 8 | St. Francis Community Hospital | Migori County | Level 3B/4 | Outpatient, general medicine, maternity |
Note: Always verify current SHA accreditation status directly at sha.go.ke or by dialling *147#, as the accredited facilities list is periodically updated.
About SHA and What Accreditation Means
The Social Health Authority operates under Kenya's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda. When a hospital is SHA-accredited, it means the facility has been vetted and contracted by the government to receive payments through the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) on behalf of registered members. Patients presenting their SHA membership details at these facilities can access covered services — ranging from outpatient consultations and inpatient admissions to maternity care, surgery, and select specialized treatments — without upfront payments. Facilities are also connected to SHA's digital Taifa Care platform, enabling real-time claims processing and patient data management.
Detailed Profiles of SHA Accredited Private Hospitals in Migori County
1. LifeCare Hospitals, Migori
LifeCare Hospitals is the most prominent private SHA-accredited facility in Migori County. Classified as a Level 4 multispecialty hospital, it is housed in a modern five-storey building in the heart of Migori Town, offering an unusually broad range of services for a county-level private hospital. These include general medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, orthopedics, dialysis for renal patients, and dental care — making it a one-stop facility for complex medical needs.
LifeCare accepts SHA cover for both the general public and civil servants, as well as AON Minet coverage for teachers and National Police Service officers. Its emergency department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ensuring round-the-clock access to urgent care. With visiting hours from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and a reputation for experienced medical professionals and a patient-centric approach, LifeCare is widely regarded as the leading private healthcare option in the county.
- Location: Opposite Migori Primary School, Sirare Road, Migori Town
- Contact: +254 730 950 000 | +254 708 917 660 | info@lchafrica.com
- Website: www.lchafrica.com
2. St. Akidiva Memorial Hospital
St. Akidiva Memorial Hospital is a private Level 4 facility serving the Suna area of Migori County. The hospital provides comprehensive healthcare including general medicine, maternity services, and minor surgical procedures. It is well-regarded for its commitment to affordable, community-focused care and accepts SHA cover alongside private insurance plans such as Jubilee Health Insurance. It plays an important role in bridging the gap between public facilities and higher-end private care for Suna residents.
- Location: Suna, Migori County | P.O. Box 57-40400, Migori
3. St. Joseph's Mission Hospital Migori
St. Joseph's Mission Hospital is a faith-based private facility with a long history of healthcare service in Migori County. Operating at Level 4, it offers general medicine, surgical procedures, maternity care, and pediatric services. As a mission hospital, it combines quality clinical care with a compassionate, values-driven approach. The hospital is contracted under SHA, enabling registered members to access its services without financial barriers.
- Location: Migori Town, Migori County
4. St. Scholastica Uzima Hospital
St. Scholastica Uzima Hospital is another faith-based private institution in Migori County accredited under SHA. The facility handles a range of services including inpatient and outpatient care, maternity, and basic surgical interventions. Its SHA accreditation ensures that members across the county can access quality faith-based healthcare in a supportive environment.
- Location: Migori County
5. St. Camillus Mission Hospital, Karungu
Located in Karungu within the Suba Sub-County, St. Camillus Mission Hospital is a faith-based private hospital accredited under SHA. The hospital has historically served the lakeside communities of Migori County, offering general medicine, outpatient services, and maternity care. Given its location near Lake Victoria, it also plays an important role in managing endemic conditions common to the region, such as malaria.
- Location: Karungu, Suba Sub-County, Migori County
6. St. Monica Hospital (Rapogi)
St. Monica Hospital, situated in Rapogi within Uriri Sub-County, is a faith-based private facility providing maternity, outpatient, and general medical services to communities in the sub-county. As part of the broader SHA network in Migori, it ensures that residents in more rural parts of the county — who may otherwise face long distances to reach a major hospital — can access covered care closer to home.
- Location: Rapogi, Uriri Sub-County, Migori County
7. St. Mary's Mission Hospital
St. Mary's Mission Hospital is a private faith-based institution in Migori County offering inpatient, outpatient, and maternity services. It operates under an SHA contract, making it accessible to registered members. Mission hospitals like St. Mary's have long been cornerstones of healthcare in rural Kenya, often providing services in underserved areas that public facilities struggle to fully cover.
- Location: Migori County
8. St. Francis Community Hospital
St. Francis Community Hospital is a private community-oriented hospital in Migori County, accredited under SHA. It serves a largely outpatient population and offers general medicine and maternity care. The facility is particularly valuable for residents who need accessible, affordable care at the community level without having to travel to the county referral hospital.
- Location: Migori County
How to Access SHA Services at Private Hospitals in Migori County
To use your SHA cover at any of the facilities listed above, follow these steps:
- Register with SHA — Visit sha.go.ke or dial *147# to register and confirm your membership status.
- Pay your contributions — The minimum monthly contribution is Ksh 500. New members must complete an initial four-month contribution period before full benefits activate.
- Verify accreditation — Confirm the facility is currently SHA-contracted via the SHA portal or by calling the hospital directly.
- Present your SHA details — At the facility, provide your national ID or SHA membership number to access covered services.
- Confirm specialized coverage — For services like dialysis, orthopedics, or dental care, call ahead to confirm what is covered under SHA at that specific facility.
SHA also offers the Lipa Pole Pole flexible contribution model, enabling lower-income households to make smaller, more frequent payments while still maintaining access to healthcare services.
Migori County has made significant strides in expanding healthcare access through the SHA framework. With over 263 contracted facilities and Ksh 1.9 billion in approved claims since October 2024, the county is demonstrating the real-world impact of Universal Health Coverage. The private hospitals listed above — from the multispecialty LifeCare Hospitals to the community-rooted mission hospitals — form a vital part of this ecosystem, ensuring that SHA members have diverse, quality options for their healthcare needs across the county's sub-regions. Residents are encouraged to register with SHA, keep contributions current, and take full advantage of this transformative health coverage.
Sources: Social Health Authority (SHA) — sha.go.ke | Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) 2024 Licensed Facilities List | LifeCare Hospitals — lchafrica.com | Kenya News Agency | Nairobi Online
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