- After the ease of the lockdown, many sectors have opened in Kenya. The cost of healthcare hit an all-time high in October due to a surge in Covid-19 infections after the opening of the economy.
- According to the Statistics by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) health inflation hit an all-time high of 3.04 per cent, leading to higher hospital bills at a time when Kenyans were struggling with job losses and lower incomes.
After the ease of the lockdown, many sectors have opened in Kenya. The cost of healthcare hit an all-time high in October due to a surge in Covid-19 infections after the opening of the economy. According to the Statistics by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) health inflation hit an all-time high of 3.04 per cent, leading to higher hospital bills at a time when Kenyans were struggling with job losses and lower incomes.
Due to poor penetration of Insurance companies, many Kenyans ended up paying from their pockets. Although the Insurance companies were ordered to settle all Covid-19 cases, soaring claims against falling premiums, a sharp rise in policy cancellations and withdrawals by customers due to Covid-19, pushed these companies into liquidity challenges. The World Bank estimates that a quarter of all Kenyans healthcare bills are paid out of pocket, leaving families vulnerable when health care costs rise. Low income households are the hardest hit.
To cut the cost of claims, Insurance companies are advising patients to opt for homecare. Companies like Jubilee insurance for instance are offering customers virtual psychiatrists and doctors on call to undertake Coronavirus recovery from the comfort of their homes.
