HEALTHCARE IN KENYA / KENYA HOSPITAL GUIDE

Kenya Info — Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:23 am

Author: Kenya Info

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:23 am

HEALTHCARE IN KENYA

GENERAL

The National Hospital Insurance Fund is the most important health insurance program in Kenya. Membership is compulsory for all civil servants. As of 1990, contribution levels proved insufficient to meet hospital costs and the government was planning to broker private health insurance policies. The government is continually improving and upgrading existing health facilities and opening new ones. Kenya produces cotton wadding domestically, but all other medical equipment and supplies are imported. High-quality private practitioners require sophisticated medical equipment, but the public sector acquires less expensive equipment. Private health institutions account for 60% of total medical equipment and supplies (import value). Kenya also has a well-developed pharmaceutical industry that can produce most medications recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The government is attempting to reduce malnutrition and combat deficiency diseases. Among Kenya's major health problems are tuberculosis and protein deficiency, the latter especially among young children. In 1999, there were approximately 417 reported cases of tuberculosis per 100,000 people. Although the incidence of malaria has been reduced, it still is endemic in some parts of Kenya and is responsible for anemia in children. Water supply, sanitation, bilharzia, and sleeping sickness also pose major problems. Schistosomiasis is endemic to some areas. In 2000, 49% of the population had access to safe drinking water and 86% had adequate sanitation. In 1991 and 1992, there were about 1,000 war-related deaths due to ethnic violence.

As of 2002, the crude birth rate and overall mortality rate were estimated at 27.6 and 14.7 per 1,000 people respectively. As of 2000, 39% of married women (ages 15 to 49) were using contraception. Average life expectancy was 47 years in 2000 and infant mortality was 78 per 1,000 live births. The fertility rate was 4.4 children per childbearing years of a Kenyan woman as of 2000. Immunization rates for 1997 for children up to one year old were fairly low: tuberculosis, 42%; diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus, 36%; polio, 36%; and measles, 32%. Malnutrition affected an estimated 33% of children under five as of 2000.

As of 1999, there were an estimated 0.1 physicians and 1.6 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Each government hospital has an independent budget. As of 1999 total healthcare expenditure was estimated at 7.8% of GDP. The government is also encouraging the development of the private healthcare sector through tax incentives as well as other plans.

There has been a rapid spread of AIDS since the 1980s. At the end of 2001, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS was estimated at 2.3 million (including 15% of the adult population) and deaths from AIDS that year were estimated at 190,000. HIV prevalence in 1999 was 13.95 per 100 adults.

DIRECTORY OF HOSPITALS & CLINICS

Acacia Medical Centre
General Accident House, 1st Floor,
Ralph Bunche Road,
Nairobi,
Kenya
Tel: +254 20 2711611
Fax: +254 20 2711353

Aga Khan Hospital
Third Avenue,
Parklands,
Nairobi,
Kenya
Tel: +254 20 3742531
Fax: +254 20 3741749

Diani Beach Hospital
P.O. Box 5074,
Diani Beach,
Kenya
Tel: +254 40 3202435
Fax: +254 40 3203080
Website: www.dianibeachhospital.com

Gertrude's Garden Children's Hospital
Muthaiga Road,
Nairobi,
Kenya
Tel: +254 20 3763474
Fax: +254 20 3763281

Lions Sightfirst Hospital
Kaptagat Road,
Loresho,
Nairobi,
Kenya
Tel: +254 20 4183239
Fax: +254 20 4181083

M.P. Shah Hospital
Shivachi Road,
Parklands,
Nairobi,
Kenya
Tel: +254 20 3742763
Fax: +254 20 3746177

Mater Hospital
Dunga Road,
Nairobi,
Kenya
Tel: +254 20 3531199
Fax: +254 20 3534289
Website: www.materkenya.com

Mombasa Hospital
PO Box 90294,
Mombasa,
Kenya
Tel: +254 41 2312191 / 2228710
Fax: +254 41 2229254
Website: www.mombasahospital.com

Nairobi Hospital
Argwings-Kodhek Road,
Nairobi,
Kenya
Tel: +254 20 2722160
Fax: +254 20 2728003
Website: www.nairobihospital.org

The Aga Khan Hospital
Nanga Road,
Off Nyerere Avenue,
Mombasa,
Kenya
Tel: +254 41 2312953
Fax: +254 41 2313278

Upper Hill Medical Centre
Ralph Bunche Road,
Nairobi,
Kenya
Tel: +254 20 2342800
Fax: +254 20 2342809
Website: www.uhmc.co.ke

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HEALTHCARE IN KENYA / KENYA HOSPITAL GUIDE