Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to measure the speed and direction of blood flow, commonly used to check for carotid artery narrowing, peripheral artery disease, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
| Facility | Type | Estimated Cost (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| SHIF-covered public facilities (e.g. KNH) | Public | ~5,000 (Doppler ultrasound benefit rate) |
| Aga Khan University Hospital | Private | Higher than public/SHIF rate |
| MP Shah Hospital | Private | Advanced colour Doppler services |
| P.C.E.A Kikuyu Hospital | Private (mission) | Carotid Doppler, venous/artery Doppler offered alongside general ultrasound |
Under Kenya's Social Health Insurance Fund benefit package, Doppler ultrasounds are covered at a rate of KES 5,000, alongside echocardiograms at KES 3,500. Costs for Doppler studies vary by facility and patient needs, with public facilities like Kenyatta National Hospital offering basic Doppler studies at lower cost while private hospitals such as Aga Khan University Hospital add more advanced colour Doppler capabilities. Nairobi clinics such as MP Shah Hospital are noted for strong vascular Doppler services, which are increasingly in demand given rising diabetes rates in the country.
Common Doppler studies include carotid Doppler (checking blood flow to the brain for stroke risk), peripheral arterial Doppler (used for diabetic and smoking patients with leg pain), and venous Doppler (used to detect deep vein thrombosis). P.C.E.A Kikuyu Hospital lists carotid Doppler, venous, and arterial Doppler among its general ultrasound offerings alongside standard abdominal, pelvic, and obstetric scans, making it a more affordable mission-hospital option for patients outside the central private hospital network.
