Early in May 2023, Kenyan artist Colonel Mustafa launched a crowdfunding campaign for a tragic turn in his family. His mother was diagnosed with Stage II lymphoma—a cancer where tumours grow on the lymph nodes. Stage II means that the growths have been found in two or more groups of lymph nodes. Research shows that 90% of stage II lymphoma patients survive for five years or more after diagnosis. The musician also worked at a construction site to raise funds for his mother’s medical bills. Eventually, he resorted to getting a paybill because of the great cost of the treatment of chronic illnesses.
What leads to the burden of treatment in Kenya?
Life expectancy in the country is 62 years old as of 2020. Respiratory illnesses, HIV/AIDS, and digestive illnesses contribute to low life expectancy. It’s also estimated that forty pregnant women die daily of birth-related complications. However, strides have been made in improving the survival rates of malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV.
But the health crisis in the country is also affected by the quality of nutrition. Many people don’t have access to nutritious foods due to rising living costs. In addition, lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and stroke.
The quality of life has lowered comparatively with adults exposed to more pollutants, some of which are carcinogenic. The construction of urban areas has made walking and cycling less safe, meaning more people use vehicles. More stress affecting Kenyans makes them more likely to develop mental health illnesses and heart disease. Convenient foods are also full of fats and sugars, increasing the risk of these illnesses.
Where the health system fails
The Kenyan health system hasn’t transitioned to manage these conditions. There are no initiatives to prevent lifestyle challenges. For people to exercise more, there needs to be planning that considers safe areas for people to walk or cycle. The cost of healthy foods is also rising, making it difficult for people to stick to organic and nutrient-dense meals. There is also heavy consumption of tobacco and alcohol. People frequently use this to self-medicate.
With the growing cases of illnesses associated with lifestyle, the country should have more accessible ways to treat and manage these conditions. Non-communicable diseases account for nearly a third of all deaths in the country. In addition, the country is more focused on hospital care than primary healthcare. This leads to long wait times and reduced quality of care. It also leads to poor retention of people with chronic illnesses and low treatment adherence.
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The financial burden of medical treatment
Clinical treatment is expensive, and many patients can’t afford consistent payments for care. The workload around self-care, nutritional needs, and medication burdens can create a form of stigma. The high burden around patient care leads to people lowering how much they stick to their after-care. This is also impacted by the financial strain of getting treatment for chronic conditions.
Studies show that the heaviest cost of treating chronic illness were hospital admissions and dialysis. Many Kenyans also don’t have health insurance or only have government insurance, which only covers some of the costs. This makes healthcare unaffordable as it exceeds the average annual income. Public health centres are more affordable but have long wait times and sometimes limited staff and equipment. Private health centres bridge the gap in equipment and specialists but are expensive.
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The high cost of treatment and limitations in providing health insurance for people with informal work or those with inconsistent income streams. This has led to the reliance on crowdfunding to manage medical costs.
Misdiagnosis also increases the cost of acquiring healthcare. Diagnostic errors lead to wrong treatment, delays, and poor health outcomes. This can be life-threatening. Most errors occur during lab tests. When in doubt, it’s important to seek a second opinion.
How can patients alleviate the financial burden
1. Choose a friendly insurer
Aside from crowdfunding, many patients may need to rely on health insurance to offset the costs of medical care. When choosing a carrier, patients need to choose a service that covers the cost of medication, hospital stays, and the liabilities of admissions.
2. Ask for discounts
When buying medication, patients or their representatives should ask for discounts. Some pharmacies can offer lower prices for people buying bulk medication. It’s important to be careful not to buy contraband medicine, which can worsen your condition.
3. Appeal rejections
Some insurers refuse to cover the costs of various treatments. However, it’s important to maintain all your hospital records. If the insurer refuses to cover treatment, you can hire an adjuster to appeal their rejection. Insurance agents can frustrate your efforts, and you may need a lawyer to help you navigate these times. Never sign anything until you fully understand the terms. The first step is to send a formal letter appealing the rejection and then get the advice of a lawyer to know how to proceed best.
4. Seek pro-bono treatment
In extreme cases where patients need life-saving care but can’t afford it, various health providers offer pro-bono patient welfare services. They may be complicated to navigate and require financial statements and hospital records. Keep your documents ready for whatever their representatives ask for. It’s best to contact them beforehand to know all the requirements so that you’re well-prepared before applying.
How the government can ease the burden
One of the easiest ways the government can help ease the financial burden of healthcare for its citizens is to introduce universal coverage. Low and middle-income people are the ones who face the heaviest economic brunt. Abolishing certain fees can help reduce wait times and increase accessibility for patients. For those dealing with chronic illness, matters such as triage, or consultation can be facilitated by the government.
The government can also increase medical staff at health centres at all levels who have been trained in speciality care. Incentivising such roles and ensuring that funding of these centres can ensure that services are provided promptly.
The government already relies on donor funding to treat HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. Marked improvements have been noted in the treatment and aftercare of patients with these conditions. HIV tests are free in some facilities, and the medications are subsidised. The same should be considered for chronic illnesses such as cancer. Addressing the inefficiencies within the healthcare system will reduce wait times and overall patient costs.
Lowering the price of medication
The cost of medication in the treatment of chronic illness is extremely high. Some patients may use generic brands or contraband because they can’t afford the medication. Manufacturers and the Ministry of Health can partner to create strategic partnerships to ensure low-income families can access medication.
A 2015 survey found that the Kenyan government doesn’t have a designated guideline on medicine pricing. The costs vary from facility to facility. Private sectors sometimes sell medication priced three times higher than public institutions. With an established framework, the government can ensure manufacturers and suppliers meet a specific threshold that reduces instances of overpricing. In cases where the treatment volume creates a heavy debt, the government can generate programs to deliver needed medications at low costs to patients.
Check out:
Health: Challenges Faced By Cancer Patients And Their Families
Wellness: How To Advocate For Yourself When Seeking Medical Care
Six Reasons Why You Should Consider Getting A Cancer Insurance Cover
Health: The Politics Of Cancer
Mental Health: Who Takes Care Of The Caregivers Of Chronically Ill Patients?
