Nairobi — Kenyans living abroad will now access enhanced health coverage following the signing of a partnership between the Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA), Jubilee Health Insurance, BUPA Global, and Kenbright Insurance Brokers.

The new diaspora medical cover will offer structured access to healthcare for both families in Kenya and diaspora members globally, ensuring continuity of care across borders.

Jubilee Health Insurance CEO Njeri Jomo said the initiative comes at a time when Kenya's health insurance landscape is transitioning from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework.

"Health insurance is no longer confined by geography. Families today live across continents, but their care needs remain connected. Our partnership with KDA and BUPA is about making that continuity possible through one integrated system," said Ms Jomo.

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Studies by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicate that healthcare ranks among the top three spending priorities for Kenyans in the diaspora, after education and housing.

Nearly 60 percent of households receiving remittances allocate part of the funds to hospital bills or medical emergencies.

KDA Global Chair Dr. Shem Ochuodho said the product responds directly to the realities of diaspora families.

"It gives Kenyans abroad a reliable, formal way to ensure their families back home have access to care without the distress that often accompanies medical crises," he said.

BUPA Global Kenya CEO Uditha Jayaratne added that the plan leverages BUPA Global's network of over 2.4 million healthcare providers worldwide, including top hospitals and specialists, giving members access to quality medical care wherever they are.