The post-pandemic global recession has not spared Kenyans. In the midst of this economic strife, the hurdles appear even more unsurmountable with the cost of infertility treatments in Kenya for couples and individuals seeking to have children.
This 2022 article by Sheila Brenda Andoi of Money254, granted pre-COVID, therefore highlighting the already dire financial woes associated with infertility, discusses the financial and emotional toll of infertility in Kenya.
Fertility treatments, such as IVF, are prohibitively expensive, with costs ranging from Ksh 200,000 to Ksh 800,000.
Couples often face psychological stress and social stigma due to infertility.
Many incur large debts while trying different fertility methods, leading to financial strain. Emotional costs include feelings of isolation and depression. Insurance rarely covers these treatments, making them inaccessible for many.
There is however reprieve, as from our earlier article “Why is IVF not always the solution? – different types of treatment for different patients”, patients may be guided through successful cheaper options, based on their individual fertility assessments, prior to needing the most sophisticated and costly fertility treatment of in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
The recommendation is to be referred to a fertility specialist, once you may have tried to get pregnant, guided by our article “When to see a fertility doctor”, where your options will be assessed and explained to you.
