No more free male circumcision services in Nairobi under Sakaja
Nairobi County has implemented a significant change in its healthcare services as Governor Johnson Sakaja signed the Finance Act 2023 into law, putting an end to free male circumcision services in Level 4 hospitals.
Under the new legislation, male circumcision in Nairobi County will come at a cost of Sh2,000. This decision is part of a broader strategy to increase revenue streams that will help finance the county’s substantial budget of Sh42.3 billion.
In the past, many Nairobi residents had availed themselves of the free male circumcision services offered by county hospitals, saving them the expense of traveling to upcountry regions to access the procedure.
The Finance Act also introduces fees for family planning services in county government hospitals. For procedures such as implant insertion, removal of implant, IUCD insertion, and removal of IUCD, patients will be charged Sh300 per procedure.
Depo-Provera injections will cost Sh150 each. However, some services like contraceptive pills and cancer screening will remain free.
Male circumcision, once a complimentary service, will now cost residents Sh2,000 per procedure when sought at county hospitals. Injection visits in Level 4 hospitals, which were previously free, will be subject to a Sh500 fee. Suturing will come at a cost of Sh500, as will the removal of stitches, nebulization, and catheter changes.
Wound dressing and cleaning during each visit will incur a Sh500 charge, while the administration of IV fluids will be billed at Sh300 per session. Tetanus injections will be priced at Sh200, and the post-abortion care package will cost Sh500 per procedure.
For diagnostic services, residents will face new charges. Skull X-Rays, Spine X-Rays, and Abdomen X-Rays will be billed at Sh500 per examination. Lower and upper Limb X-Rays will be available for Sh400.
Dental services will also see changes in costs. Tooth cleaning will now be priced at Sh2,000 per procedure, filling per tooth at Sh1,000, and Root Canal treatment at Sh4,000. These alterations in healthcare costs come as part of Nairobi County’s efforts to diversify revenue sources while providing essential medical services to its residents.