Nairobi, May 14 -- More than one in every five claims filed with the Social Health Authority (SHA) across the country is for a respiratory condition.

According to data from the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) facility payment report, Kenyans are going to hospital mostly for coughs, stomach problems and fever. These conditions, however, are inexpensive to treat.

Maternal care, cancer, kidney disease, cardiovascular conditions and trauma take the largest share of spending despite fewer claims.

Acute upper respiratory infections alone, including coughs, throat infections and sinus problems, account for more than 10 per cent of all specific condition claims. Lower respiratory infections, including pneumonia, add a further 5.7 per cent....