What is healthcare in Kenya like?

Facilities and Health Information

Adequate medical services are available in Nairobi. Frequent outbreaks of cholera and malaria are endemic in Kenya outside Nairobi. In addition, diseases such as Ebola, Rift Valley Fever, and anthrax from handling sheep skins occur periodically. Travelers, who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, and up to one year after returning home, should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarial drugs, please visit the CDC Travelers' Health web site.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Kenya. For further information, please consult the CDC's Information on TB.

On May 17, the CDC issued a Travel Notice regarding an outbreak of dengue in Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city and a major tourist destination. Dengue is spread by mosquitoes, and travelers to Kenya’s coastal areas should plan to protect themselves from mosquito bites through covering exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats, and using insect repellent as directed on the packaging. For more information on dengue, please visit the CDC web page on dengue.

The CDC issued a Travel Notice on June 3, regarding the recent diagnosis of polio in Kenya. All travelers to Kenya and surrounding countries should be fully vaccinated against polio. In addition, adults previously vaccinated as children should receive a one-time booster dose of polio vaccine.

Drinking Water Source - % of rural population improved

55.1%

Drinking Water Source - % of total population unimproved

38.3%

Drinking Water Source - % of urban population improved

82.3%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

6.3%

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.4

People Living with HIV/AIDS

1,500,000

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.18

Sanitation Facility Access - % of total population unimproved

70.4%

Sanitation Facility Access - % of urban population improved

31.3%

Sanitation Facility Access - % of rural population improved

29.1%

Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

high

Animal Contact Disease (s)

rabies

Food or Waterborne Disease (s)

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Vectorborne Disease (s)

malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever

Water contact disease (s)

schistosomiasis

Disability Access In Kenya

Accessibility

Individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation in Kenya very different from what you find in the United States. Although Kenyan law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities, the government has not effectively enforced these provisions and implementation has been slow. Very few government or private buildings, medical facilities, restaurants or other public or private facilities have adequate access for the disabled. Travelers to Kenya will find very little accessibility to public transportation or taxis. There is no functioning bus system in Nairobi, but rather an extensive use of vans (“matatus”) that travel along designated routes, or taxis. Neither of these options can easily accommodate wheelchairs and most often are hailed from the side of busy roads. Footpaths along the side of roads are generally unpaved, bumpy, dirt paths with unmarked road crossings.

Disclaimer

You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Information provided is subject to change without notice. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Information published on this website may contain errors. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us.

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