•The Kemri researchers say the high cost has contributed to the currently low testing rates in the country.
•The Kemri researchers said there is a high demand for tests but the high cost of PCR tests deterred most people.
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Kenyans are willing to pay Sh500 for a single Covid-19 rapid diagnostic test, if offered at their local chemists, researchers say.
The rapid tests use samples from the nose or throat and provide results in minutes.
They come in disposable plastic cassettes, similar to pregnancy tests.
The Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust conducted a survey to find out how much Kenyans are willing to pay for such tests.
Currently, most on-demand tests are the laboratory PCR ones that are provided in private facilities at Sh8,000.
The Kemri researchers say the high cost has contributed to the currently low testing rates in the country.
They partnered with Maisha Meds, a health technology and data analytics firm, to carry out the survey in Nairobi, Kisumu and Siaya counties, which together host 32 per cent of all registered pharmacies in Kenya.
“Considering each of the counties, 69.8 per cent of private retail pharmacy clients in Nairobi, 68.3 per cent in Siaya and 34.2 per cent in Kisumu would be willing to pay Sh500,” they said.
“However, if this price was doubled to Sh1,000, approximately 50.0 per cent, 27.5 per cent and 15.6 per cent would be willing to pay this price in Nairobi, Siaya and Kisumu counties, respectively.”
The researchers said an understanding of the user’s willingness to pay can guide price setting and other programme design features to enhance uptake.
Their findings, titled “Level and determinants of willingness to pay for rapid Covid-19 testing delivered through private retail pharmacies in Kenya” are available on the preprint platform Medrxiv awaiting publication.
Last week, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said the country will move toward the RDT antigen tests to improve detection of the virus.
He said all the testing in Kenya is currently coordinated by the National Public Health Laboratories.
“This support has allowed Kenya to rapidly increase testing sites from the initial one site in March 2020 to 95 sites currently testing for Covid-19 using PCR methods and another 461 sites testing for Covid-19 using rapid antigen kits,” he said.
The Kemri researchers said there is a high demand for tests, but the high cost of PCR tests has forced many to keep off.
“There is a high likelihood of uptake of pharmacy-based rapid Covid-19 testing if priced at between Sh500 and Sh1,000. The finding that over 90 per cent of the respondents indicated some interest in obtaining the test at a private retail pharmacy when in need further underscores the high likelihood for uptake,” they said.
According to the World Health Organization, the current low testing rates are prevalent across Africa.
Last week, WHO said their assessment shows that only 14.2 per cent, or one in seven, Covid-19 infections are being detected in Africa.
To reverse that trend and curb transmission, the WHO Regional Office for Africa announced an initiative to enhance community screening for Covid-19 in eight countries.
They are Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Republic of the Congo, Senegal and Zambia.