Most Kenyans support the COVID-19 restrictions that were put in place by the government to contain the virus.
According to a new survey by Infotrak which covered in 24 counties, 68 percent of Kenyans support the revised measures.
Out of the total survey, 31 percent of the respondents disagreed about eateries and bars operating under the strict guidelines while 68 percent agreed.
Eateries and restaurants are required to close by 7 pm.
On the current nationally imposed curfew between 10 p.m. and 4 am, 63 percent supported the retention of the curfew while 36 of the participants disputed the same.
“There is wide support for the revised measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic especially on the operation of eateries and bars 68 percent and retention of the nationwide curfew 63 percent,” read the report.
One percent of them were unpredictable in the retention of the nationwide curfew.
The study also found that 63 percent of Kenyans support the restrictions around the places of worship while 43 were against.
The poll findings found that 71 percent of Kenyans in need of medical attention visited public health facilities between the end of 2020 and mid this year.
Of these, 48 percent said they were satisfied with the services they received; 51 percent of them noted an adequate number of medical staff, while 53 percent noted inadequate resources such as medical equipment and drugs.
Those visiting Private facilities were at 21 percent while 1 percent sought medical attention in both public and private facilities.
The growth of private provision has in turn created demand for private health insurance.
It is beyond the financial reach of most of the population in a country plagued by poverty and income inequality, where access to affordable health care depends not just on the availability of funds but also on the availability of health workers and facilities.
“A majority of Kenyans who visited public health facilities between the end of 2020 and mid – 2021 noted that they had an adequate number of medical staff; while this may not be an indication of how well-staffed public health facilities are, it does reinforce the fact that our medical workers are going to great lengths to ensure that services are delivered.” Reads the report.
On the economic cost of the COVID-19 of Kenyans who have contracted the virus, about 2 in 5 sought help from relatives and friends to pay for the cost of treatment, while 1 in 5 used their savings to pay for the treatment.
To treat a COVID-19 patient in Kenya, it costs about Ksh.21,359 per day per patient to manage COVID-19 in hospitals for asymptomatic patients, Ksh.21,361 for those with mild symptoms, Ksh.24,705 for those with severe disease and Ksh.51,684 for critical patients in ICUs.
About 1 in 5 Kenyans have recently assisted somebody close to them to offset a medical bill for COVID-19 treatment.
About 2 in 5 Kenyans assisted by either making personal cash donations or contributing at fundraisers popularly known as Harambee.
Additionally, 25 percent agreed to know people who have contracted the CVID-19 while 75 percent did not know those contracted.
Infotrak suggested that a majority of Kenyans are still very much in need of public health infrastructure for their healthcare needs.
