Kenya Health Insurance

Straddling the equator and surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania, Kenya is the image most people conjure up when they think of Africa. The country is home to vast plains and savannahs filled with rare and exotic wildlife, jutting lonely mountains, bustling crowded cities, a vast array of tribal cultures, and a noticeable colonial British influence. Home to 41 million residents, Kenya is all those things and striving to be much more. Having gained independence in 1936, this large democratic republic has worked hard to encourage economic growth and promote improvements for the lives of its citizens, with mixed success. Long relying on agriculture to earn a living, and frequently struck with drought, Kenya is now shifting to more lucrative industries in hope producing a higher GDP. Coffee, tea, fruits and flowers remain major exports, but now service industries and tourism are also major economic motors. Kenya is now seeing an average of a 5 per cent GDP increase year-on-year, and looking to put this money to good use. In August 2010, a new constitution was adopted and plans drafted to decentralize the government and create 47 mostly-autonomous counties. The plan is to be fully implemented by August 2012 and it is hopes to better serve and support the residents spread out across this large country.

Kenya Health System

The newly dissected government will have a lot of work to do, as poverty and poor health abounds. Some of the leading causes of death include respiratory infections, mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria and dengue fever, tuberculosis, diabetes and accidents. Meningitis, hepatitis, water-borne parasites, rabies and diarrheal diseases are also common. All of these health risks are easily preventable or treatable. HIV/AIDS is also epidemic in Kenya with an estimated 6.3 per cent of the population affected, while this is down form a decade prior, much more needs to be accomplished. Maternal mortality has shown a sharp increase recently and is now at 53 per 10,000, and under five mortality is still very high at 830 per 10,000 according to the United Nations Population Fund report of 2011. Average life expectancy is very low at only 51 years and 56 per cent of the population lives below the international poverty line of $1,200US per year.

While two Health Sector Strategic Plans have been initiated from 1999 through 2010, the current healthcare system in Kenya is still grossly insufficient for the needs of its people. The doctor to patient ratio is extremely poor at 1.6:10,000 and the nurse ratio is only 12.8:10,000 despite the fact that Kenya is a major center for higher learning in Africa. Government spending for 2010 only represented 7 per cent of the total budget, which translates to just $13.60US per person, roughly one third of the minimum amount deemed necessary to adequately care for the population by the WHO.

This poor financing has resulted in a weak public healthcare network and as a result, many hospitals and clinics rely on charitable donations and foreign aid for much of their support. Conditions in most hospitals are well below western standard in terms of equipment, treatment available, staff training and experience, and pharmaceuticals that readily available. Further adding to the problem is that medical facilities are not evenly distributed around the country. While the urban centers are more developed in terms of facilities available, health centers, clinics, and hospitals in rural areas are often few and far between. Due to distance traveled and perceived high cost, many in these areas do not seek medical attention until their condition is critical.

In the public sector, healthcare is disseminated through a long and inefficient multilevel system which requires patients to get referrals in order to see a specialist. This makes treatment slow and sometimes overpriced for average Kenyans as they must first go to a nurse-managed primary care clinic or health center then be referred to a district hospital. District hospitals typically will have one or more doctors on staff for secondary care and can provide more comprehensive treatments including basic surgeries and some specialty care. If the condition warrants it, the patient can be referred to one of the two national hospitals, Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret or Kenyatta National Hospital, in the capital, Nairobi. Both facilities are very capable to treat the most unusual or critical conditions and are held in high regard, the only problem is accessing them through the cumbersome system.

Private care on the other hand is typically much quicker, though more expensive. Wealthier Kenyans and most expatriates choose private care because it is invariable more efficient and offers a generally higher level of care and treatment. However, private medical facilities are not as widely available outside of major city centers. The two best private hospitals in the county, Aga Khan Hospital and Nairobi Hospital, are modern and internationally backed with a long list of capabilities ranging from emergency care to very complex medical procedures.

Kenya Medical Insurance

No universal or compulsory Kenya health insurance system is currently in place. Plans are under way to introduce a National Social Health Insurance Fund which will be compulsory and tax funded to expand access in healthcare to all, though no start date has been announced and details are still few. There are however insurance providers available to cover treatment and hospitalization from both private and government operated sources, but many cannot afford the monthly required contributions and therefore remain uninsured. For citizens and legal residents, the most basic of coverage is only around $2.00US per month, though this cover is not all-inclusive and not available for non-residents.

Most foreigners and expatriates will instead find that a privately sourced Kenya medical insurance plan offers more coverage and protection and provides access to the best care available. In many cases, particularly for travel outside of the major cities, travalers have chosen emergency air-ambulance or repatriation coverage, which, for a low membership fee, provide coverage for an otherwise extremely costly service. No one should visit or relocate to Kenya without some form of health insurance, as the fees for suitable care can sometimes be much higher than expected and without proof of insurance treatments can be denied.

Traveler's Information

With year round warm weather, friendly locals, frequent international flights, decent infrastructure by African standards, and comparably cheap luxury accommodations, Kenya is a popular destination for safari and beach holidays. Close to 70 languages are spoken in Kenya but the two most common are Swahili and English.

Most travelers will require a visa for entry, either from their nearest Kenya Consulate Office or they can be purchased upon arrival, but visas upon arrival will need to be paid for with US dollars as no other currency, including Kenyan Schillings, are accepted. Communicable diseases are common and vaccination needs and requirements depend on planned length of stay and destinations to be visited, consult your doctor for suggestions based on your planned itinerary. Access to improved water sources and adequate sanitation vary widely depending on location. Tap water should be avoided, and good personal hygiene should always be practiced as a precaution.

Expat Medical Insurance

Planning a vacation, or relocating to an exotic location, such as Kenya, is always exciting, and with proper preparation need not be overly stressful. No one should overlook the need to be adequately protected against unforeseen risks to health due to accident or illness. Expat Medical Insurance offers numerous options for Kenya Medical Insurance for both short and long term visitors, as well as International Health Insurance plans that provide coverage worldwide. Contact our knowledgeable staff for full details and a free price quote regarding the right coverage for you and your family.