AMREF Flying Doctors’ approach to cost containment

East Africa’s healthcare system faces numerous challenges, including a high burden of infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis, as well as trauma from accidental injuries and conflict. These challenges are further compounded by inadequate infrastructure, limited access to healthcare (particularly in rural areas), a shortage of medical professionals, and disparities in care quality.

Our extensive assistance network extends beyond East Africa, ensuring seamless support for international clients across the continent

Despite these challenges, East Africa is experiencing a positive shift toward accessible and high-quality healthcare. Increased investment in the sector has driven advancements such as digital health innovations (including telemedicine), hospital upgrades to teaching and referral status, and a growing role for private healthcare providers in expanding access to medical services. However, this growth has also led to a sharp rise in healthcare costs, exacerbated by geopolitical and economic challenges. As a result, there is an increasing demand for cost-effective, high-quality medical solutions. Yet, managing healthcare expenses while ensuring optimal patient outcomes remains an evolving challenge.

AMREF Flying Doctors: a leader in medical assistance solutions

As a trusted partner to hundreds of international medical assistance and travel insurance providers, AMREF Flying Doctors (AFD) ensures seamless coordination of medical assistance cases across Kenya and the broader East African region. This service is built on over 65 years of experience in Africa, providing medical health solutions in often challenging environments. AFD is Africa’s largest fixed-wing air ambulance service provider and is EURAMI-certified for long-range, intercontinental, and regional air ambulance operations. Additionally, AFD holds medical endorsements for adult critical care and commercial airline medical escort services.

Comprehensive assistance solutions for international clients

AFD’s assistance services cater primarily to leisure and business travellers, expatriates, and insured individuals requiring medical support while in Africa. Our extensive assistance network extends beyond East Africa, ensuring seamless support for international clients across the continent.

Key services include:

• Hospital admissions and placement of Guarantees of Payment (GOPs)

• Follow-up on medical reports

• Flight ticket arrangements and ground transfers

• House calls and bedside assessments for fit-to-fly evaluations

• Medication dispatch and homecare assistance

• Medical escorts for patient transfers

• Cost control and medical bill verification

• Repatriation of mortal remains and funeral services

• Fraud investigation

• Legal assistance

• Other concierge services.

The rising cost of healthcare

in Africa Healthcare costs in many parts of Africa have been rising, primarily due to weak regulatory oversight from medical boards and councils. Patients with medical insurance are often subjected to unnecessary procedures, tests, and high-cost medications, as some medical facilities assume that insurers will cover the expenses. Additionally, private practitioners frequently contribute to cost inflation by imposing excessive charges on insured patients.

There is an increasing demand for cost-effective, high-quality medical solutions

While there are justifiable costs associated with maintaining high-quality healthcare services in the region, opportunistic practices such as price gouging, charging foreigners or insured clients more, and fraudulent claims exacerbate the financial burden.

Cost containment: ensuring quality healthcare at sustainable costs

Cost containment involves implementing strategies to control medical expenses without compromising patient care. AMREF Flying Doctors has established several key measures to effectively manage costs:

1. Fraud detection and investigation

Identifying and challenging fraudulent claims submitted to insurers.

2. Control of unnecessary procedures and tests

Preventing unwarranted medical interventions often imposed on insured patients.

3. Negotiated discounts on medical bills

Leveraging AFD’s network of over 80 medical providers in East Africa to secure cost reductions on bed fees, medications, and final bills.

4. Pre-negotiated care bundles

Collaborating with select private hospitals to develop fixed-price packages for surgeries and inpatient care, offering lower costs compared to private practitioner fees.

5. Telemedicine for remote consultations

Utilising virtual consultations via WhatsApp, Zoom, and other platforms to reduce unnecessary hospital visits and facilitate early medical interventions.

6. Promoting preventive healthcare

Encouraging drug adherence, vaccinations, and regional health advisories to minimise preventable medical expenses.

Enhancing cost containment services

Building on its success, AMREF Flying Doctors is further enhancing its cost containment services to optimise healthcare expenses for clients. We have secured preferential rates with a leading private hospital and will extend these cost savings to all AFD clients. This initiative will enable our international partners to control medical expenses while maintaining high standards of care for their clients.