MPs Approve Bill Regulating Treatment of Kenyan Patients Abroad

Members of Parliament (MPs) have passed a Bill regulating the treatment of Kenyans out of the country.

The Health (Amendment) Bill of 2020, which was sponsored by Kesses MP Swarup Mishra, was approved by the National Assembly on Tuesday. It seeks to streamline the mechanisms for the referral of patients to health institutions outside the country.

The Bill bars Kenyan health facilities from referring patients abroad before exhausting local hospitals for medical attention.

It proposes that patients can only be referred for treatment abroad if there is sufficient evidence that local hospitals lack the capacity to handle their ailments.

The proposed law requires the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Health to formulate policy guidelines on the mechanisms for referrals of patients to hospitals abroad.

Under the proposed law, those seeking to travel abroad for medical treatment must seek approval from the Health Ministry.

At least 10,000 Kenyans travel overseas annually in pursuit of specialized medical care, spending at least Sh15 billion in the process, according to data by the Health Ministry.

India, South Africa, the UK, and the US are the most preferred destinations for Kenyans seeking treatment.

Oncology, cardiac surgery, advanced neuro-spine surgery, transplant surgery, and assisted reproductive technology are the most sought medical services by Kenyans traveling abroad.

Medical agents have been accused of taking advantage of desperate patients, who in some instances are asked to part with a referral fee of up to Sh400,000. Others have been accused of persuading Kenyans to seek treatment abroad even when treatment is available locally.