Children aged between seven and 17 years registered as dependants under the Social Health Authority (SHA) will now undergo fingerprint identification when seeking medical care as part of a new system aimed at improving beneficiary verification and preventing misuse of healthcare services.
SHA said the biometric verification process will involve capturing fingerprints of registered child dependants whenever they visit SHA-contracted healthcare facilities for treatment. The system will help confirm that medical services are being provided to the actual beneficiary listed under the health insurance programme.
In a notice issued to beneficiaries on Tuesday, the authority said the fingerprint registration will only be carried out after approval from a parent or guardian.
According to SHA, the biometric details will be used solely to identify the child and ensure that the correct beneficiary receives healthcare services.
"The child's fingerprint will be captured at a SHA-contracted healthcare provider when the child visits for treatment. It will be used to identify the child and confirm that the correct beneficiary is receiving care," the authority said.
SHA stated that parents and guardians must provide consent before the fingerprint capture process begins, adding that no child will be registered through the system without approval from their caregiver.
"Parents or guardians are required to give consent for the fingerprint to be captured," the notice stated.
The authority said healthcare facilities will continue offering alternative verification methods in cases where fingerprint identification cannot be completed.
"Where fingerprint verification is not possible, the facility may use the contributor's identification number and a one-time password (OTP)," SHA said.
SHA said the introduction of the biometric system is part of measures to improve identity checks under Kenya’s Social Health Insurance system while protecting beneficiaries’ personal information.
The authority assured parents and guardians that children’s biometric details will be protected and processed in line with the country’s data protection requirements.
"The child's information will be handled securely in line with the Data Protection Act, 2019," the authority said.
SHA added that the new identification process is supported by the Social Health Insurance Act, 2023, and Regulation 38 of the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024.
The authority encouraged beneficiaries who need more information or clarification about the new system to contact its toll-free customer care line, 147.
The fingerprint verification programme is expected to improve accuracy when confirming beneficiaries, reduce cases where health services are accessed by unauthorised persons, and ensure healthcare support reaches the intended recipients.