How Much Does Thyroid RFA Cost in Kenya?
10 October 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Ebrahim Yusuf Ebrahim
One of the most common questions we're asked — and one most clinics won't answer openly. Here is exactly how the cost of thyroid radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is worked out in Kenya, and how to get your own figure.
The short answer
The cost of thyroid RFA in Kenya is quoted individually, because it depends mainly on the size and number of nodules being treated. At Thyroid Care Kenya in Nairobi you receive a clear, written quote after a free review of your ultrasound and biopsy — before you commit to anything or book any travel. Many patients are covered, fully or partly, by their medical insurance.
What decides your quote
Four things set the figure: (1) the volume of the nodule — larger nodules take longer to treat and may use more consumables; (2) the number of nodules treated in the session; (3) the nodule's make-up — mostly fluid (cystic), solid or mixed; and (4) whether more than one session is likely, which is occasionally advised for very large nodules. Your thyroid ultrasound answers almost all of these questions, which is why the quote follows the reports review.
What the quote includes
Your quote covers the specialist consultation, the ultrasound-guided RFA procedure under local anaesthetic, the single-use RFA electrode, and your follow-up plan, including follow-up ultrasound. There are no theatre, general-anaesthetic or ward fees, because RFA is a same-day procedure done in the clinic.
Does insurance cover thyroid RFA?
Often, yes. Thyroid RFA is a recognised medical procedure, and the clinic works with international insurers (including BUPA, Cigna, NOW Health International and VUMI) and Kenyan insurers (including Jubilee, UAP, APA, AON Minet and CIC). Whether your plan covers it depends on your policy and its pre-authorisation rules — send us your insurer details with your scans and we will confirm your cover and handle the pre-authorisation. See the insurer list on the RFA page.
How RFA compares with the cost of surgery
When you compare treatments, compare the whole journey, not just the procedure fee. Thyroid surgery usually adds a general anaesthetic, theatre time, one or two nights in hospital and one to three weeks off work — and, if the whole thyroid is removed, lifelong daily thyroid tablets. RFA is a single day-case visit, most people are back to normal in one to two days, and the healthy thyroid is preserved. See the full RFA vs surgery comparison.
For patients travelling to Nairobi
If you are coming from Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia, South Sudan, DR Congo or Rwanda, you receive your written quote before you book flights. Most international patients complete treatment in a single 2–3 day visit, which keeps travel and accommodation costs modest. If extra preparation is needed — for example getting diabetes under control first — we tell you in advance so you can plan. See the international patients pathway.
Why we don't publish a single price
A flat price would be wrong for most patients: a small nodule and a large goitre are very different treatments. Quoting after a specialist has seen your scans means the figure you receive is the figure you pay — and that nobody is quoted for a procedure that would not suit them.
Getting your exact quote — three steps
1. Send your recent thyroid ultrasound, any biopsy (FNAC or core biopsy) report and your thyroid blood tests on WhatsApp or through our reports form. 2. A specialist reviews them — usually within 24 hours — and tells you honestly whether RFA suits your nodule. 3. If it does, you receive a clear written quote and, if you are insured, confirmation of your cover. There is no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
It is quoted individually because the cost depends on the size and number of nodules treated. Send your ultrasound and biopsy for a free review and you receive a clear written quote — before you commit — at Thyroid Care Kenya in Nairobi.
Compare the whole journey rather than the procedure fee alone. RFA avoids general-anaesthetic, theatre and hospital-stay costs and most people return to work in one to two days, while surgery usually means one or two nights in hospital, a longer recovery and sometimes lifelong thyroid tablets.
Many plans do. The clinic works with international insurers such as BUPA, Cigna, NOW Health and VUMI and Kenyan insurers such as Jubilee, UAP, APA, AON Minet and CIC. Cover depends on your policy, so send your insurer details and we will confirm it and handle pre-authorisation.
The specialist consultation, the ultrasound-guided procedure under local anaesthetic, the single-use RFA electrode and your follow-up plan including follow-up ultrasound. There are no theatre or ward fees.
Yes. International patients receive a written quote after a remote review of their scans, before booking any travel. Most complete treatment in a single 2–3 day visit.
Most patients need a single session. Occasionally a very large nodule benefits from a second treatment; if that is likely, it is explained in your quote from the start.
