TaifaCare hotline surpasses 1M calls as gov’t plans to rollout AI chatbot, says Duale

The government’s push to strengthen healthcare delivery under Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is gaining momentum, with the TaifaCare Support Centre recording more than one million calls since its launch less than a year ago.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday toured the Nairobi-based facility, which operates the 147 toll-free line, to assess its progress in strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system.

According to the Ministry of Health, the centre, powered by the Digital Health Agency (DHA) has become a key link connecting citizens, health providers, and government in real time.

The ministry said plans are already underway to roll out AI-powered chatbots to make it easier for citizens to access services around the clock.

“This initiative demonstrates government’s commitment to building a responsive, transparent, and efficient health system. Kenyans are encouraged to register for TaifaCare via *147# or the AfyaYangu Platform, and to use the toll-free line to report service concerns.”

The development comes at a time when Kenya’s healthcare system is undergoing a major overhaul under the Social Health Authority (SHA), which officially replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) in October 2024.

SHA runs three funds, the Primary Healthcare Fund, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund.

Registration under SHA is mandatory, with salaried workers contributing 2.75% of their income and low-income households paying Ksh300.