Report Reveals High Cost of Treating Noncommunicable Diseases

A new study has revealed that the cost of screening, diagnosing, and treating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Kenya places a heavy financial burden on patients, even in public health facilities. According to research conducted by RTI International in partnership with Kenya’s Ministry of Health, patients must pay significant out-of-pocket fees for services such as cancer diagnostics, hypertension treatment, and chronic kidney disease care.
The study found that basic NCD screening — for conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes — can cost as little as US$ 4 in public facilities, but more advanced diagnostic tests are far more expensive.For example, breast cancer diagnostic procedures average US$ 401 in public hospitals and go over US$ 1,200 in private facilities.
When it comes to ongoing treatment, the costs continue to rise sharply. Annual hypertension medications in the public sector range from US$ 26 to US$ 234, while the same drugs cost US$ 418 to US$ 987 in private facilities. For severe complications—such as stroke or kidney failure requiring dialysis—patient payments can reach thousands of dollars: stroke care costs US$ 1,874 in the public sector but balloon to US$ 16,711 in private hospitals.
Experts say the findings illustrate a major barrier to care, especially for uninsured Kenyans. Many patients lack health coverage and must use savings or borrow money to pay for treatment — a situation that risks pushing families into financial hardship. Health advocates are calling for stronger insurance coverage, greater investment in NCD prevention, and more affordable access to essential diagnostics and therapies.