Infotrack Kenya conducted a perceptions survey on Universal Healthcare Coverage in Kenya with financial support from People’s Health Movement (PHM) Kenya.
- Majority of Kenyan households (52.1%) earn monthly incomes up to Ksh. 20,000 per month, access to quality healthcare appears to be beyond the reach of many considering that there are other competing needs;
- 69% of Kenyans are not aware of UHC;
- Only 31% reported to be aware of UHC;
- Kenya Health Policy 2012 – 2030 is the most detailed policy document that addresses certain aspects of UHC;
- There is no tailor-made monitoring framework for UHC;
- High rates of misconceptions set up UHC for failure;
- Healthcare provision is said to have improved with the introduction of UHC. All facilities are included in the program. Challenges faced as listed below:
- Poor planning, coordination and execution and registration process;
- Inadequate and delayed supply of medicine;
- Demotivated workers because of delayed salaries and poor welfare services thus frequent strikes;
- Prolonged waiting time as a result of increased patient traffic in public health facilities; ‘
- Lack of sufficient medical equipment and supplies in the health sector;
Key Findings
- ONLY 42% of Kenyans in the pilot counties are registered with UHC;
- Kenyans over 18 years are eligible for registration;
- Children under 18 years can also be registered under their parents or guardians;
- Registration takes between 10-20 minutes to complete;
- UHC is available for outpatient services and not inpatient services;
UHC registration in pilot counties
- ID and passport size photos or and children certificates;
- Old people form the largest percentage of those registered with UHC in the pilot counties;
Mystery Shopper: experience using UHC to access various healthcare services
- Registration took longer in Isiolo County with an average of 35 minutes. In Machakos, it took the shortest time with an average of 5 minutes to register;
- From the time of registration to the time of getting a UHC card it takes an average of 1-2 months;
Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda are implementing Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC). The coverage is as follows: Kenya (57%), Ethiopia (39%) and Uganda (44%).
Ugandans are spending more on healthcare as compared to Kenya.
Incidences of impoverishment due to out-of-pocket health spending. Kenyans living below USD$1.9 per day spend $1.36 on access to healthcare.
Conclusions
- Awareness of UHC is still low;
- There exists misconceptions about UHC and how it works among Kenyans;
- There are technical gaps, capacity gaps (medical and personnel) and knowledge gaps in terms of awareness and misconceptions;
- Citizens expect the UHC program to be free but some services require out of pocket;
- The ideal UHC that Kenyans want is one which covers a range of services;
- Ensure supply of adequate medical supplies and equipment in public healthcare facilities;
How much is being allocated towards Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) in Kenya?
Who is paying for UHC? How much? Is it in the public national and county budgets?
Kisumu, Isiolo and Nyeri counties have not received money for the last 3 quarters.
