By Doreen Ndanu
Childbirth has become increasingly expensive for the average person (referred to as "mwananchi"), particularly in East Africa or similar regions, due to various factors including healthcare system dynamics, medical advancements, and socio-economic factors. The cost of giving birth can vary depending on location, type of delivery, the healthcare provider, and additional complications. In many places, particularly in developing countries, the rising cost of childbirth is becoming a financial burden for many families.
Some of the factors that have contributed to the rising childbirth costs include:
Increased cost of healthcare services.
Private vs. public hospitals: In many countries, especially in urban areas, public hospitals can be overcrowded and underfunded, leading many people to turn to private hospitals. These private facilities are usually much more expensive. In some cases, government-funded services may not be able to meet the demand for maternity care, thus pushing people toward private or semi-private options, which charge higher fees.
"The cost of maternity care in private hospitals has increased by over 30% in the last five years. This price hike is largely due to the higher operational costs, including equipment, drugs, and staff wages, that have been passed down to the patients" (Kenya Medical Association, 2023).
Medical advancements and specialized care.
The availability of advanced medical technologies and specialized care options, such as ultrasound scans, antenatal testing, and emergency cesarean sections, all contribute to increased costs. These technologies are expensive to maintain and operate, and the cost is typically passed on to the customer. For example, when complications arise during childbirth, such as fetal distress, interventions like emergency C-sections, specialized monitoring, and neonatal care become necessary, driving up the overall cost of delivery.
"Advances in prenatal care and the necessity for technology-driven delivery methods, such as ultrasound and fetal monitoring, have led to a substantial increase in the cost of childbirth. The average cost for a C-section delivery is roughly 40% more than a normal vaginal delivery, and this is often necessary in case of complications."
(World Health Organization, 2022)
Increased Drug and Medication Costs
Drugs such as painkillers, antibiotics, and anesthetics are essential in many childbirth cases, especially during cesarean deliveries or when complications arise. These medications are imported and subject to fluctuating international market prices, which contributes to the higher cost of care.
"Increased cost of medical supplies, including pain relief medications and necessary postnatal care treatments, are significant drivers of rising delivery costs. Prices of essential items like surgical gloves, intravenous fluids, and anesthetics have tripled in the past decade."
(Ministry of Health, 2021)
Lack of Insurance Coverage and Out-of-Pocket Payments
Many people in developing countries do not have health insurance that covers maternity care, and thus they must pay for their births out-of-pocket. For instance, in Kenya, "The Linda Mama" program is set to cover everything after women give birth, yet they end up paying hospital and maternity bills with their own money. While some countries have made strides in improving healthcare accessibility, the lack of adequate public insurance coverage for maternity care remains a critical issue.
Cultural and Regional Variability
The cost of childbirth can differ substantially from region to region. Urban areas tend to have much higher costs than rural areas, particularly due to the availability of more specialized care and better medical infrastructure.
Medical facilities: In some countries, medical tourism, where people travel to other countries or regions for better, more affordable care, has also emerged as a response to the high cost of childbirth in their home countries.
Economic Impact on the Common Mwananchi:
For the average person, particularly in lower-income brackets, the rising cost of childbirth can be crippling. Families who lack savings or proper insurance coverage may struggle to afford even the most basic care. In Kenya, for instance, the cost of giving birth in a private facility can range from Ksh. 40,000 to 100,000, depending on the type of care. In rural areas, where there is limited access to well-equipped facilities, women may have to travel long distances, further escalating costs.These costs can push many families into debt or force them to seek less qualified healthcare providers, with potential risks to both maternal and child health.
Examples of Impact on Households:
Increased debt and financial strain: Many families are forced to borrow money from relatives or financial institutions to afford maternity care, leading to long-term debt. "With the increasing costs of maternity services, many households are dipping into savings or even taking loans to cover hospital bills. This leads to financial strain, particularly when the healthcare costs exceed their monthly income."
(African Development Bank, 2022)
Rural to Urban Migration for Better Care: In many parts of East Africa, women from rural areas are moving to cities or larger towns to give birth in better-equipped private hospitals, which increases transportation costs, accommodation, and the price of delivery itself.
"In rural areas, we see a trend where expectant mothers are migrating to urban centers for safer and more advanced child"
care. This migration adds significant costs to the already high expense of delivery" (Maternity Health NGO, 2021).
Complications for Women with Low Incomes:
Women in the lowest income brackets often face the highest barriers to access, including not only the direct cost of delivery but also indirect costs such as transportation, taking time off work, and paying for postnatal care.
"The rising costs of maternity care have disproportionately affected low-income women who often cannot afford private healthcare. As a result, some are opting to give birth in unsupervised environments, which puts them and their babies at significant risk" (East African Health Journal, 2023).
Childbirth has become prohibitively expensive for many ordinary people due to rising healthcare costs, lack of insurance coverage, and other socio-economic factors. The costs associated with advanced medical care, drugs, and delivery complications have made it difficult for many to afford safe and effective childbirth services. Consequently, many families are forced to make difficult decisions regarding healthcare, which can lead to long-term financial challenges.
While policies and initiatives to reduce these costs are necessary, there is also a pressing need for improved healthcare infrastructure and better access to maternal health insurance, especially for those in low-income or rural settings.
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