Healthcare in Nairobi is split between an overstretched public system and a well-developed private sector, and expats rely almost entirely on the latter. The city has some of the best hospitals in East Africa. The harder part is picking the private facility that suits you.
Most expats choose a hospital close to home or work. Nairobi traffic is notorious, so a nearby hospital is worth a lot when someone falls ill. Beyond location, weigh up your family's needs, from maternity to paediatric care.
The public system is funded through the Social Health Authority (SHA). Registration is mandatory for every resident, and expats do not get an exception. If you're on a local payroll, your employer will deduct your contributions from your salary.
Very few expats actually rely on the SHA for anything serious. Public hospitals are crowded, and since the switch, payments to private providers have often been slow and unreliable. A growing number of private hospitals now want cash upfront or proof of a private policy before they'll admit you.
Private health insurance isn't compulsory, but it's well worth having. Without cover, the bill for a serious illness or an emergency can be crippling, and medical evacuation abroad is beyond what most families could pay on their own.
Pharmacies are easy to find across Nairobi. The big hospitals have their own, and many are open around the clock, so you can pick up medication at any hour. You'll also find chemists in shopping malls and along the main roads.
Healthcare and Health Insurance in Kenya
Hospitals in Nairobi
The hospitals in Nairobi listed below are the ones expats and their families turn to most. Check what your insurer covers before you need it, since not every policy is accepted at every hospital.
Aga Khan University Hospital
Website: hospitals.aku.edu
Address: 3rd Parklands Avenue, Limuru Road, Nairobi
Gertrude's Children's Hospital
Website: www.gerties.org
Address: 34 Muthaiga Road, Nairobi
The Karen Hospital
Website: www.karenhospital.org
Address: Karen Road, Karen, Nairobi
Kenyatta National Hospital
Website: www.knh.or.ke
Address: Hospital Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi
M.P. Shah Hospital
Website: www.mpshahhosp.org
Address: Shivachi Road, Parklands, Nairobi
The Nairobi Hospital
Website: www.nairobihospital.org
Address: Argwings Kodhek Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi