A section of Kenyan and Somali nationals have lamented about paying exorbitant amounts to attain medical visas for specialised treatment in India.
In an exposé by a Somali media organisation, Horn Observer, the victims claimed to pay as high as Ksh200,000 (1,500 US dollars) for the visas which normally go for Ksh12,420.
This, according to the publication, unearths a system of cartels in Kenya that seek to capitalise on desperate families seeking dire medical attention.
According to the exposé, the cartels have turned the crisis into a profitable venture and subsequently minting millions in the process.
"The complexity and depth of this corruption have roots that extend into an underground network that flourished...to conduct their unlawful business," read an excerpt from the publication.
Owing to the impact of the inflated fees, it is reported that an estimated 2 to 4 people succumb weekly as they delve to raise the requisite funds needed.
"This exploitation not only underscores a deep-seated corruption but also highlights the impact on the lives of those who are seeking a chance for better health and survival."
The victims urged the government along with the international community to take action and apprehend those culpable.
They cited that the integrity of the diplomatic missions ought to be restored to eliminate practices that exploit the vulnerable in society.
The cartel-led operation mirrors a similar scandal that occurred in Ethiopia, where victims were compelled to pay Ksh92,000 for medical visas, sparking public outrage and resulting in the relocation of visa processing services to Kenya.
The expose indicates that this trend has now shifted its operations to Kenya.
In a recent Health Care Index survey, India ranked 29th out of 110 countries for the best healthcare systems globally.
Among Asian countries, South Korea and Israel emerged in the top 10. Despite its ranking, India was recognized as one of the leading countries for medicine availability, cost, and adequate infrastructure.
The development comes amid an ongoing doctors' strike in Kenya for 45 days due to a stalemate between the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) and the government.
This has paralysed medical services across public hospitals, with patients left in the cold.
