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Kenya’s new Health Amendment Bill aims to put an end to alleged cases of overseas medical fraud catching Kenyans out, but could it also limit overseas medical travel for good?
According to various local news outlets, India, South Africa, the UK and US are the main destinations for over 10,000 Kenyans annually who travel in search of specialised medical treatment, with treatments in oncology, cardiac surgery, advanced neuro-spine surgery, transplant surgery, and assisted reproductive technology being some of the most sought-after services outside the country due to limitations in Kenya's healthcare facilities.
But a new law being considered by local members of parliament may see this practice change dramatically. The proposed Health Amendment Bill states that only after local hospitals have proven incapable of handling a patient’s medical condition, are patients to be referred for treatment outside the country – and in this instance, patients must seek approval from the Health Ministry before travelling overseas.