There is a great need for affordable, high-quality medical equipment in Kenya. With a population that exceeded 48 million in 2017, Kenya is the sixth most populous country in Africa and ranks thirtieth in the world in country population.
In recent years, Kenya has made progress in eliminating preventable deaths. However, the rates of maternal and child mortality remain high, with 362 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and 52 infant deaths per 1,000 births. Infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis are a constant threat in Kenya, especially to the 43% of Kenyans who live in poverty and are unable to access medical care.
A Shortage of Dependable Medical Equipmentin Kenya
While there have been improvements in some areas, there are still some critical deficiencies within Kenya's healthcare system. With only one doctor for every 10,000 people, many sick people are unable to access medical care. Doctors who feel overburdened and underpaid have resorted to walkouts and strikes, contributing to further depletion of resources.
In addition to facing staffing challenges, Kenya's healthcare facilities face a severe shortage of dependable medical equipment. Many clinics and hospitals lack basic medical equipment such as x-ray machines, respiratory ventilators, and patient monitors. Even some of Kenya's largest hospitals are unable to treat patients because the medical equipment they need to treat patients is obsolete or broken.
How a Lack of Medical Equipment Affects Life Expectancy for Kenyans
The shortage of medical equipment and care providers prevent many Kenyans from enjoying a long, healthful life. The average life expectancy in Kenya was 63.4 years in 2015, which is lower than 144 countries in the world. Contributing to a poor average life expectancy is a lack of quality maternal care. One study of 554 healthcare facilities found that only 8% of impoverished women and 17% of all women had access to delivery care that was deemed to be minimally adequate.
Barriers to Sourcing Reliable Medical Equipment in Kenya
Many healthcare providers in Kenya refrain from buying new medical equipment because they worry they cannot afford it. Other doctors do not know where or how to find a trustworthy medical equipment provider in Kenya. With very few medical equipment manufacturers located in Kenya, doctors and hospital administrators must depend almost exclusively on imported medical equipment from other countries. This means that doctors, nurses, and administrators must often evaluate companies that are located thousands of miles away. This can be an intimidating prospect to many doctors.
How to Find Affordable Medical Equipment From the USA
As the world's leader in medical device manufacturing, the United States produced approximately 43% of all medical devices in 2015. Kenyan healthcare providers who purchase their equipment from the USA are able to choose from thousands of equipment suppliers. Cost-conscious buyers can even find trustworthy companies that offer new and professionally refurbished medical equipment.
Finding the Best Medical Equipment Supplier for Kenya
Not all medical equipment providers are created equal. When choosing a medical equipment supplier for your clinic or hospital in Kenya, you should focus on five key factors:
- Industry experience
- Quality of product and service
- References from customers in Kenya
- Agency approvals
- Recognition and awards
Choosing a provider that is registered with the United States FDA ensures that you receive high quality products. Also, you should select a provider with decades of experience shipping to Kenya and an impressive collection of references.
Please contact us to learn why we were honored with the Export Achievement Award for Africa. Avante has provided affordable, high-quality medical equipment to the Kenyan medical community since 1984. We look forward to being your trusted source for medical equipment!
