Healthcare in Kenya

53176POSTS

11 years ago

Hi,

how does the healthcare system work in Kenya ? Is it efficient ?

What are the main differences between public and private sectors?

Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Kenya?

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience !

Julien

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tracymhall Member

22POSTS

11 years ago

Hmmmm...health-care in Kenya is a big topic. From my experience I prefer private than public just because of the conditions. The public hospitals tend to have massive lines, lots of people, poor sanitary environments, and they don't seem like you're getting personal care. They are however MASSIVELY cheaper, and many have actually really great doctors. The other problem I have with public is their lack of streamlining everything....you have to go to one person to register, go to another to pay, see the doc, go pay for lab, go to lab, go back to doc, go pay for drugs, etc. It takes so much time. Although the private isn't much better, the long queues to do each task are less likely to be encountered. The problem with the privatized health care though is the lack of honest doctors. For example in maternity, some would like to force you to have a c-section just to increase the cost of your bill, not because it is in the best interest of the mother.
Insurance is definitely worth it.

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carolebrenton New member

6POSTS

11 years ago

I echo everything tracymhall said. Public isn't 'terrible', but the lines are very long. A simple visit can take HOURS! The private clinic/hospitals are faster 'cuz the lines are shorter, but they are pretty expensive. Personally, I'd opt for private.

My experiences with the Kenya health care system has all been as an interpreter/advocate (for deaf people). One thing I've learned is that if the treatment for whatever brought you there doesn't solve the problem and you end up going back for further evaluation, you need to be aware that their goal isn't really to figure out what ails you and treat it. Their goal is to make you feel better. And if they can't do that, well, you're on your own. I've found that they will test for the obvious - A, B, C - but if it turns out to not be A, B or C, they're done. It's up to you to give them hints of what other options could be out there. Don't expect the doctor to do all the work.

rodiman New member

5POSTS

11 years ago

I used the local hospital in homa bay when I broke my arm I had to go home and go back 3days later for an x ray it was never set they just plastered it. I had to walk a mile to a pharmacy to get the plaster as they had none in the hospital all.together it cost me 800ksh. Recently I got malaria in Mombasa went to a private clinic was diagnosed and treated in a couple of hours that cost me 3500ksh. So there you have the comparison if you want fast efficient treatment go private if its available.

Lutta New member

4POSTS

11 years ago

I have some very comprehensive international Health Insurance. That said, i will use a local clinic/doctor for minor problems. However, recently, after a chest xray for a cold that would not go away, i had a massive scare from the report of the radiologist, who is NOT cheap. My insurers were typically following their procedures so i went privately to a cardiologist in Mombasa. Full investigation undertaken and a report and the cost was approx 20k. Eventually my insurers sent me to Nairobi where i had the same investigation costing approx 150,000k. Plus flights plus hotel, plus taxis. RESULT the same as in Mombasa. SO my message is, find a local private doctor and build a relationship of trust. It is good if you are quite 'aware' of what symptoms mean what e.g. urine infection. If in doubt at all then go to a reputable hospital. Always question everything and also check what meds are for before taking them. GOOGLE. It is without doubt a good idea to have medical cover.

Longonot62 Kenya Advisor

1521POSTS

11 years ago

The public health system is vastly underfunded and in my experience, if you don't have at least some knowledge, misdiagnosis is not uncommon. As stated above, public health facilities can be overcrowded and have less than ideal sanitary conditions.

Private hospitals are very good. If you don't have medical insurance, large deposits are usually needed before admission and you can also be detained, if you can't pay the bill.

The best doctors tend to align themselves with the major private hospitals (at least in Nairobi), Aga Khan, Nairobi Hospital, Kenyatta Private Wing, etc. The main issue with many top Kenyan doctors is money. Your referring doctor will usually be quite reluctant to refer on, even if this would be the most appropriate course. The reason for this is that they would lose out financially. I hate to be cynical, but you can almost see them choosing the upholstery of their next Mercedes, while treating you!

The other issue I have is that doctors are very very keen to fill you with prescription drugs, which is something the western doctors seem to be starting to move away from.

Medical insurance is vital, I would say. For minor ailments, local treatment can be an inexpensive alternative. However, if something major happens, then the bills can easily run in to millions and I have known of families that have had to sell most of their assets under such circumstances. Even we had an approximate Ksh 500,000 bill recently (Nairobi Hospital) to treat my mother-in-law for gallstones (she is too old to get an insurance policy). Incidentally, her local public health clinic diagnosed malaria - she could have died had we not stepped in.

Many Kenyans now go to India for treatment and surgery, as it is considerably cheaper than being treated at home.

The big advantage of medical treatment in Kenya, compared with the British NHS is that you can see a specialist almost immediately and have test results usually be the same day.

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Eldohomecare New member

3POSTS

last year

@Julien

Hi,

Kenya's healthcare system is structured into several levels, ranging from community health units to national referral hospitals. The system includes both public and private sectors, each with its own strengths and challenges.

Public Healthcare: The public sector provides primary care, pharmaceuticals, and emergency services. Generally public healthcare is good, especially in level 5 and level 6 hospitals: qualified prectitioners and multidisciplinary approach. However, it can be underfunded and overcrowded, with long waiting lines especially in rural areas. The government is currently overhauling the national healthcare scheme to improve efficiency and coverage.

Private Healthcare: The private sector offers more specialized and timely care, often with better facilities and shorter wait times. However, it can be more expensive.

Health Insurance: It is highly recommended to purchase private health insurance in Kenya. While the public system is improving, private insurance ensures access to a broader range of services and quicker treatment.

As a healthcare provider with Eldohomecare, we understand the importance of accessible and quality healthcare. We offer home nursing and physiotherapy services in Eldoret and Nairobi, ensuring that you or your loved ones receive professional care in the comfort of your home. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions or need assistance with healthcare services in Kenya.

Thanks in advance.

sarnia78 New member

5POSTS

last year

As an older woman of 83, health insurance, even if I could get it, would be outrageously expensive at my age. I have a very small Shalom Hospital (4 beds) at the end of my road with a clinic open 24 hours. So far I have been treated well for the relatively small issues I have had. I'm the only muzungu in the area so I think my appearance shakes them up a bit. I went once to a public hospital - the Metropolitan - and experienced exactly what has been described here. Since I have a nursing background I do have some basic knowledge.

I would like to know some recommendations for Indian hospitals - can anyone share any?

JL Alexander Member

23POSTS

last year

I have been living on and off in Kenya for the last 15 years. My experience with the Kenyan health system is limited to the Coptic Hospital on Ngong road, and the better life Pharmacy in Waterfront mall. I am a french citizen and, even if was away from France for 25 years, relatively used to a very professional medical system whose prices are controlled by the national health system, “la Securité Sociale”, and a great quality of services and qualification. Even if i am nowadays engineer in the oil industry, i happened to first study medicine before changing to engineering; it means that although i don’t pretend at all to be a qualified doctor, i perfectly understand the medical lingo and I can assess rather accurately the amount of expertise of the person who faces me. I have had a bout of HBP (high blood pressure) while in Nairobi on a Friday afternoon, went to the Coptic hospital, and there was faced with a hyper dramatisation of the situation: a brain scan was ordered by the doctor, i was injected an emergency drug to lower the BP, and finally told that I needed to spend the night in ICU with of course a pre-engagement of my Credit card for 50K shillings, no doubt the final bill would have reached 49.9K. I signed a discharge, drove back home, and was better the next day. I saw a cardiologist at the Coptic hospital the next Monday, I called a relative of mine in France who is a cardiologist, and he was quite confirming, telling me that a bout of high HBP was not so dramatic and that i should change my diet and physical habits. The next issue was the drugs that i will have to take every day till my last: the treatment i take for this HBP consists of 3 drugs taken daily. In France, the cost for a 3 months treatment is around 16.00 €, in Kenya the cost is 40 times higher ( this is not a mistyping i really mean forty times). Who can afford this? Not only are the dawa horrendously expensive, but a lot of the over the counter ones fake. I consider myself lucky to have the possibility of flying to France when i need to have my prescription renewed, the difference in the drugs price paying for my ticket. As much as Kenyans are great people, the Kenyan health system is like a lot of other things in Kenya: everything is about money and greed. I should mention as well that one of the Egyptian doctor at the Coptic hospital asked me “why don’t you see a real doctor”, which meant that the guy i was seeing before in the Coptic hospital being Kenya and black, was not in his eyes a real doctor...

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