This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Treating Coronavirus in Kenya: A Costly Affair ¶
On July 10, 2020, Acting Health Director-General Patrick Amoth revealed the staggering costs associated with treating coronavirus patients in Kenya.
According to Amoth, the daily treatment of an asymptomatic patient costs an average of Sh21,000, while those with mild symptoms pay Sh21,400 per day. Patients with severe Covid-19 and requiring supplemental oxygen fork out Sh51,000, while critically ill patients who need ICU or ventilators pay an average of Sh71,000 per day.
With 90% of Kenyan coronavirus cases being asymptomatic, most patients pay an average of Sh21,300 for treatment per day. This means that treatment for Covid-19 in the 14 days costs Sh298,000 to Sh300,000.
Patients are usually discharged when two or three consecutive tests turn negative, with some patients requiring up to five tests to get definitive results.
Dr. Amoth attributed the high cost of treatment to the protective gear used by medical staff, which costs Sh10,000 per session and is discarded every time a doctor leaves a patient's room.
Additionally, bed charges, food, medicine, and other services escalate the cost, with the Kenyatta National Hospital demanding Sh4,000 per night.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe urged Kenyans to observe the guidelines given by the government, emphasizing that the opening of the country does not mean the coronavirus curve has been flattened.
