Kenya: Mixed Reactions as Karen Hospital Charges Between Sh40,000 and 50,000 for Circumcision

(file photo).
7 December 2022

Nairobi — Do you intend to circumcise your son? If the Karen Hospital is your preferred facility, you will be required to cough between Sh40,000 and Sh50,000 for the procedure.

According to an advertisement published on the hospital's Twitter account, circumcision under local anaesthesia will cost Sh 40,000, while the procedure under general anaesthesia will go for Sh50,000.

The facility explained that the charges are exclusive of the doctors' consultations and procedures carried out before and after surgery, bed charges incurred for an overnight stay, and discharge supplements.

"Call us today on 0726 222 002 to book your circumcision appointment. Our Resident Surgeon, Dr. Lance Mayabi, is ready to receive you and walk the journey with you," read a statement posted by the health facility.

The Karen Hospital is a 102-bed multispecialty Hospital located in Karen.

In some facilities, it costs as low as Sh 500 for one to undergo the procedure while in some instances if done traditionally, the procedure is free.

The advert has elicited mixed reactions from a section of Kenyans labeling the charges as "highly exaggerated and exploitative" while others have defended it arguing the hospital has its own target market.

Here are some of the reactions from Kenyans to the cost of circumcision at the Karen Hospital;

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.