Implementation of User Fee Policy in Psychiatric Hospitals in Kenya: A Case of Mathari Hospital, Nairobi

Abstract

In Kenya, user fees were implemented as a form of cost-sharing to lessen the financial burden of health financing on Kenyan patients. This occurred in 2004. The Kenyan Ministry of Health offers a financing mechanism through risk pooling to the greatest extent possible to achieve universal coverage for mental health care. The use of services is based solely on need for care, with no additional tax funding or required health insurance; contributions are determined by ability to pay. Diseases such as mental health have been on the rise in Kenya due to a change in lifestyle and as a result of other emerging diseases. In Kenya, the high expense of healthcare continues to be a major obstacle to receiving timely, high-quality medical care. Despite the increase in prevalence of diseases related to mental health, the government’s user fee policy has not been able to keep up with inflation. The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of user fee policy in psychiatric hospitals in Kenya: A Case of Mathari Hospital, Nairobi. The study was guided by objectives that were seeking to determine the utilization of user fee policy at Mathari Hospital and to establish how hospital policies influence user fee policy implementation at Mathari Hospital. A cross-sectional study design was used. Findings from this study established that utilization of the user fee policy at Mathari Hospital was aligned with the existing hospital policies. The management of Mathari Hospital should streamline user fee collection by constantly providing on the job training to the employees.