Why Healthcare Is A Worrisome Issue For Us All

By Jane Muia / Published February 22, 2023 | 12:03 pm

Healthcare is a critical issue for everyone in society today. Everyone needs healthcare, from young children to the elderly, and healthcare access is a major factor in determining the health of a population. Unfortunately, healthcare is becoming increasingly expensive and hard to access for many Kenyans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that at least half of the people in the world do not receive the health services they need. Similarly, about 100 million people are pushed into extreme poverty each year because of out-of-pocket spending on health.

The rising costs of healthcare in Kenya are a major concern. Health insurance premiums and deductibles have been increasing steadily over the years, while wages have not kept up with inflation. This makes healthcare increasingly out of reach for many people, particularly those on low incomes. Additionally, the cost of healthcare services has increased dramatically in recent years, and many healthcare providers are now charging more for the same services.

Healthcare access has been another problem affecting many Kenyan households. Many people lack healthcare because they cannot afford it, or because they do not have health insurance. This is particularly true for people in rural areas, who often lack good infrastructure and access to healthcare providers. Additionally, healthcare access is often limited in lower-income areas, due to a lack of professionals or good infrastructure.

Did you know in Mt Elgon, Kenya, there are still some women who give birth on the roadside and in caves?
Read more here: https://t.co/78JbE4rd62

Why is this happening in the 21st Century?
THREAD: @VillgroAfrica starts this conversation, with an aim to… (1/2) pic.twitter.com/pt8KcigGYW
— Gladys Gachanja (@Gladys_Gachanja) February 21, 2023

Moreover, many healthcare providers in Kenya are not adequately trained or experienced in providing healthcare services. This often leads to lower-quality treatment and can make it difficult to receive the care that is needed. When covid 19 was reported in Kenya, some doctors said they did not receive training before being assigned roles of treating the disease. This undermined their ability to treat the disease during the first stages. Some doctors panicked and ran away from patients with covid 19 symptoms.

Healthcare providers often lack the resources necessary to provide adequate healthcare, leading to poor healthcare services. Shortages of protective equipment such as gloves, and masks have continued to be reported in some hospitals across the country.

While the government of Kenya is seeking to achieve affordable healthcare in its big four agenda, every Kenyan needs to prioritize healthcare by seeking an insurance policy. Health insurance is indispensable when it comes to financially safeguard your family and yourself in case of any eventuality.

On Thursday, Gladys Gachanja, in partnership with Villgro Africa, will be hosting a Twitter Space on Revolutionizing Healthcare in Africa: Innovations for Accessible And Affordable Solutions that you might not want to miss.