Emergency, chronic and critical illness cover (ECCIF)
Social Health Authority · sources read 30 Sep 2026
In an emergency, go straight to the nearest facility with an accident and emergency unit: the first 24 hours of emergency care are covered for every Kenyan resident, registered with SHA or not. The same fund pays for ICU care, ambulance transfers, and extra cancer and chronic illness treatment for paid-up SHIF members.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- Where
- No application: go to the nearest facility with an accident and emergency unit, or a SHA-contracted Level 4 to 6 hospital for chronic and critical care
Steps
- For an ambulance, ambulance transfers are managed through the National and County Ambulance Call Centres.
- Go to the nearest facility with an accident and emergency unit. Serious emergencies like severe injuries, burns, stroke, seizures, snake bites and rabies are treated under this fund.
- After the first 24 hours, your care continues under SHIF if you're a paid-up member.
- For cancer or other chronic illness care at a Level 4 to 6 hospital, the fund takes over once your SHIF limit runs out. For cancer, that's an extra KSh 400,000 for treatment.
Watch out
- ICU cover is up to 12 days. If more days are needed, the hospital must get approval from SHA.
- Some procedures need SHA pre-approval, which can take up to 72 hours.
- Comprehensive chronic illness cover depends on the funds SHA has in its budget.
Who can apply
- Accident and emergency care: all Kenyan residents, whether or not you're registered or paid up.
- Ambulance evacuation: all Kenyans, whether or not you're registered or paid up.
- Extra chronic illness cover (cancer, dialysis, mental health admissions): paid-up SHIF members.
Official sources (5)
- Emergency, Chronic & Critical Illness Fund sha.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Benefit Tariffs sha.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Can a member be removed due to non-payment? sha.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Can I register and receive services on the same day? sha.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- I am in the hospital for surgery, and I am being asked to wait for SHA approval. Why? sha.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026