Many Kenyans, particularly in informal settlements, delay seeking medical attention for common ailments like coughs due to high healthcare costs, often leading to more advanced and expensive illnesses by the time they visit a hospital.

• The cost of healthcare, including consultation fees, lab tests, and medication, heavily influences when and if people seek treatment in Kenya, leading many to self-medicate or use traditional remedies.
• Reforms by the Ministry of Health aimed to improve access at the grassroots by transporting drugs directly to dispensaries and health centers, reducing transport costs and the need for referrals.
• Despite efforts like the direct delivery of medicine and the launch of the Social Health Authority (SHA) to expand insurance coverage, gaps persist, including drug stock-outs, congestion, and long waiting times in public hospitals.
• The SHA targets vulnerable households and low-income earners, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for primary healthcare, emergency services, and maternal care, although some challenges with benefit packages and specialized care remain.
• Medical experts warn that delaying treatment for common conditions like infections, hypertension, and diabetes increases both health risks and financial strain, despite government interventions like devolved healthcare and expanded SHA.