Kenya Medical Insurance News

For the past 20 years, Kenya has been experiencing a health care crisis. Life expectancy has dropped from 57 in 1986 to 47 in 2000; infant mortality has increased from 6.2% in 1993 to 7.8% in 2003; under-five year old mortality rose from 9.6% in 1993 to 11.4% in 2003. Furthermore, the number of children with stunted growth has increased from 29% to 31% between 1993 and 2003.

Public healthcare in Kenya is generally of low quality due to widespread corruption and limited resources. Loans made to Kenya in the 1980's by international financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank were typically conditional, and the prerequisites typically relied on Kenya cutting various budget expenditures. As a result, public healthcare has been suffering tremendously, even up until today, as medical facilities now have fewer supplies and user fees are more and more common. Compounding this problem, many medical professionals choose employment in the better-paying private healthcare sector.

The government administers the National Health Insurance Fund which aims at providing healthcare to all Kenyans. Contributions are compulsory for all civil servants. However, the system is regarded as poorly administered. Program contributions are not enough to cover medical expenses and facilities, and many Kenyans have difficulty accessing participating medical facilities, which are few and far between.

As public healthcare deteriorates, private healthcare facilities are experiencing booming business. It is widely known that for most countries, the private sector is the main driver for innovation in medical facilities and products, and Kenya is no exception. Needless to say, most visitors and expatriates in Kenya use these facilities as opposed to public ones, despite the significantly higher costs. For this reason, having health insurance in Kenya is essential.

Our services can provide comprehensive expatriate health insurance plans to expatriates and visitors to Kenya. With these plans, you can rest assured that you will be covered and entitled to use the highest quality medical facilities in Kenya. Plans can be customized to meet your exact requirements and in many cases we are able to offer Kenyan international health insurance policies with no deductibles or excesses. In addition, plans that we provide are globally portable and guaranteed renewable for life, assuring that no matter what happens, wherever and whenever, you will always have the coverage that you need.

These plans typically offer a number of additional benefits including coverage for out-patient treatment, dental and maternity protection, complimentary medicines, specialist consultations, alternative therapies and emergency evacuation (which is essential when touring Kenya ). All of this gives you the peace of mind that no matter what happens anywhere in the world, you will always have the protection that you need.

For more information about Kenya, the international health insurance plans that we can offer there, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today.

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