Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has increased charges for several medical procedures and specialised healthcare services, a move that is expected to raise the cost of treatment for patients seeking care at the country’s largest national referral facility.

The revised fees, which took effect this week, affect a range of specialised procedures and diagnostic services. The changes have already sparked concern among patients, with reports indicating that some individuals were unable to proceed with scheduled treatment after discovering the higher charges.

According to reports, the new pricing structure applies to selected surgical procedures, diagnostic tests and laboratory services, although the hospital has not indicated that every service offered at the facility has been affected.

The fee adjustment comes against the backdrop of rising healthcare costs, with hospital administrators pointing to increasing operational expenses as a key factor behind the review. KNH has cited the escalating cost of imported medical supplies, laboratory reagents, pharmaceuticals, specialised equipment and general inflation as contributing to the decision to revise its charges.

As Kenya’s premier referral and teaching hospital, KNH provides specialised treatment to thousands of patients from across the country, including individuals referred from county hospitals for complex medical conditions that cannot be managed elsewhere. The institution also serves as the primary teaching hospital for the University of Nairobi’s College of Health Sciences and plays a central role in medical research and specialist training. The increase in medical fees is expected to have the greatest impact on patients requiring specialised care, many of whom already face significant financial challenges in accessing treatment. Reports indicate that some patients were forced to postpone or suspend planned procedures after learning of the revised costs.

The development has renewed concerns over the affordability of specialised healthcare at a time when many households continue to grapple with the rising cost of living. Health sector stakeholders have repeatedly emphasised that financial barriers remain one of the leading reasons patients delay seeking medical attention, often resulting in more advanced illnesses by the time treatment is received.

KNH has maintained that the review is intended to help the hospital sustain the provision of quality healthcare amid increasing operational demands. Public hospitals across the country have faced mounting pressure from higher procurement costs, increased demand for specialised services and the rising prices of medical commodities, challenges that have affected healthcare systems globally.

The hospital has the legal mandate to periodically review its charges through its Board in accordance with the Kenyatta National Hospital Order, 2026. Such reviews are intended to ensure that service fees remain aligned with the cost of delivering healthcare while enabling the institution to continue providing specialised treatment.

The latest adjustment comes as Kenya continues implementing broader health sector reforms under the Social Health Authority (SHA), with policymakers seeking to improve access to healthcare while ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of public health institutions.

Healthcare experts note that although periodic fee reviews may be necessary to meet operational costs, they also underscore the importance of strengthening health insurance coverage to shield patients from high out-of-pocket medical expenses. They argue that expanding effective insurance coverage remains critical to ensuring that cost does not become a barrier to accessing essential healthcare services.

For patients currently receiving treatment at KNH, the revised charges are expected to influence the overall cost of care, particularly for specialised procedures and investigations. Hospital officials have not announced any further changes beyond the latest review, but the development has placed renewed attention on the balance between maintaining quality healthcare services and ensuring they remain affordable for the public.