5 Things You Need To Know About Equity Afya

In Kenya, access to quality and affordable healthcare remains a persistent challenge. Thanks to Equity Afya, Kenyans have a reason to smile. This healthcare network, launched by the Equity Group Foundation, is not just another chain of clinics; it is a model that seeks to redefine healthcare delivery in Kenya through social enterprise principles. From its roots in empowering medical professionals to its unique positioning within local communities, Equity Afya has disrupted the healthcare landscape in bold and impactful ways.

Here are five key things you need to know about Equity Afya, especially if you care about affordability, accessibility, and sustainable healthcare:

It Is a Social Enterprise Model That Puts People Before Profits

Unlike traditional private healthcare providers that prioritize profit margins, Equity Afya operates on a social enterprise model. This means that while the medical centres are run as businesses, their primary objective is not profiting maximization; it is impact maximization. The initiative was established by Equity Group Foundation, with support from the Equity Group, to empower young medical professionals (who are former Equity Leaders Program scholars) to become healthcare entrepreneurs.

This model allows doctors to co-own and run the medical centres with a strong community focus. The result? Medical centres that understand and respond to the real needs of the communities they serve, without exorbitant costs. Equity Afya continues to reinvest revenues into improving healthcare infrastructure, access, and services rather than funneling profits out of the system.

Affordability

Equity Afya’s pricing model is designed to be affordable without compromising the quality of care. Consultation fees are kept significantly lower than in most private facilities, with a general practitioner consultation fee of Ksh. 500. The medical Centre also offers affordable lab tests, pharmacy services, maternal and child health services, and chronic disease management.

For many low- and middle-income families who often choose between basic needs and medical care, this affordability opens the door to timely and preventative health interventions. Importantly, Equity Afya facilities also accept most medical insurance, making it easier for individuals and families to use their health insurance benefits and avoid out-of-pocket expenditures.

Accessibility Across Counties

As of March 2025, Equity Afya has expanded to over 134 medical centers across all 47 counties in Kenya, strategically located in urban, peri-urban, and even rural areas. This expansion is not random; it follows a data-informed approach that targets underserved and densely populated areas where people often travel long distances or forego care due to a lack of nearby facilities.

The network’s growth ensures that access to healthcare is no longer a privilege for those in major cities. Whether you are in Githurai, Wajir, Isiolo, Mwingi, Kakamega, Kakuma, Marsabit Embu, Mpeketoni, or Eldoret, there’s likely an Equity Afya medical centre near you. This accessibility drastically reduces waiting times, increases early diagnosis, and improves health outcomes, especially for non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension that require regular follow-up.

A Wide Range of Services Under One Roof

Equity Afya medical centres are not just consultation centres; they are comprehensive outpatient medical centres. Patients can access a range of services, including general and specialized consultations, lab diagnostics, pharmaceutical services, minor procedures, family planning, antenatal care, child immunization, nutrition counselling, and chronic disease management.

The clinics are well-equipped and run by licensed healthcare professionals, ensuring high-quality care. Many locations now even offer dental, optical, and dermatological services. By housing all these under one roof, patients avoid the inconvenience and cost of moving from one facility to another for different services, a major barrier to healthcare adherence.

A Focus on Preventive and Community Health

Equity Afya doesn’t wait for patients to fall sick. The medical centres participate in/organize community health outreaches, wellness programs, and public health education through local radio & TV stations and using local languages. The centres regularly conduct free medical camps, school health programs, health talks, and wellness check-ups in collaboration with local organizations.

This proactive approach helps tackle preventable diseases before they escalate, especially in vulnerable communities where awareness levels are low. It also enhances the culture of regular health check-ups, which has long been missing in Kenyan society. By promoting preventive health, Equity Afya helps to reduce the long-term cost burden of disease management on families and the national health system.

Read Also: Equity Afya: A Practical Solution To Kenya’s Healthcare Challenges