SHA set to roll out AI-powered system to cross-check prescriptions, says Mwangangi
CEO Mercy Mwangangi said the tool is not only a strategy to strengthen SHA’s rollout but will also play a key role in protecting patients’ health and safety.
Kenyans will next year benefit from a clinical support tool that will stop doctors from giving prescriptions that could harm patients, Social Health Authority (SHA) CEO Mercy Mwangangi has revealed.
In an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, September 16, Mwangangi said the artificial intelligence-powered system will be launched by the Ministry of Health in 2026 and is part of SHA’s broader plan to safeguard patient well-being.
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For the tool to function effectively, all medical prescriptions issued by doctors will first be collected and recorded into the system, along with information on how medicines are dispensed. When a patient is prescribed medication, the tool cross-checks the prescription against the patient’s records on the Afya Yangu portal. If the system identifies that the medicine could be harmful, it automatically rejects the prescription.
“We actually want to introduce a clinical decision support tool, and this is something we want to happen by next year. These tools will ensure that your doctor does not give you a medical prescription that is likely to cause harm to you,” Mwangangi said.
She further explained how the system works in practice: “For example, if I have an allergy and it is in my Afya Yangu portal, which has all the patient data, when the doctor puts a prescription that will trigger the allergy, the system will auto-reject it, and that will help us protect you.”
Mwangangi said the tool is not only a strategy to strengthen SHA’s rollout but will also play a key role in protecting patients’ health and safety.
The announcement follows an update that SHA is also introducing free ambulance services across the country. In a statement on Tuesday, September 9, Mwangangi said the project will be launched by President William Ruto by the end of October 2025.
Under the new system, the Ministry of Health will provide a telephone number that Kenyans can use to access ambulance services regardless of their location. SHA will cover the Ksh4,500 cost of the ambulance as well as all medical expenses incurred within the first 24 hours at the hospital.
“By the end of October, our president will launch what we call ambulance services through the SHA. This will enable Kenyans to access ambulance services through their phone regardless of where they are,” Mwangangi stated.
She added, “You will only be required to call us, and the ambulance will come wherever you are, which costs Ksh4,500 and shall be paid fully by SHA. It will then take you to the emergency centre, and if you have an asthma attack, we shall cater for the expenses so that you may get well.”
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