As most professionals know, an ultrasound machine is a must have for the majority of health facilities due to its multiple application in the study of a developing fetus, muscles, tendons, abdominal and pelvic organs. You are probably wondering what is the ultrasound machine price in Kenya; we are going to guide you.

There are various factors that affect the cost of ultrasound machines such as tier, condition (new, refurbished, or used), and advanced options like TEE probe or 4D feature. On average, the prices of ultrasound machines in Kenya range from Ksh. 320,000 for portable low-tier to about Ksh. 8 million for high-tier systems.

This guide will outline various parameters to consider when evaluating the prices of ultrasound machines. It is meant to help you make the best decision when acquiring these fairly expensive machines.

Factors that Determine the Prices of Ultrasound Machines in Kenya

Condition/Age of the Machine

For most health equipment, the age usually determines its price. New and demo systems usually cost more than refurbished ultrasound machines. Consequently, the refurbished (renewed) machines cost more than used ones.

This is because the used machines and refurbished machines are likely to have undergone some form of wear and tear from previous users. However, well inspected and maintained used machines usually perform almost as good as new ones.

It is good to note that the age is not a big issue for refurbished systems as they are updated in the refurbishment process including software. Age is important when dealing with used systems where it is recommended to go for a machine that is not more than 5 years old. Medistus Limited (based in Nairobi) offers both new and used units at different prices which you can view here.

Size of the Ultrasound Machine

Ultrasound machines usually come in two major sizes which portable (pocket-sized) and standard. Portable ultrasound machines such as Mindray DP-10 are very ideal for carrying around, quick assessments and general practice since their sizes are similar to a large laptop. This category of ultrasound machines is usually very affordable and can be as low as Ksh. 320,000. You can check the current price of Mindray DP-10 Ultrasound here.

Medium sized machines such as the Mindray DC 30 Ultrasound are not very challenging to move around and can be carried in an ambulance for such practices as general imaging, and OB/ GYN. They come with wheels and thus can be pushed on good surfaces. Their prices are average.

Larger sized machines such as Mindray Resona 7 are a bit bulky and thus not very easy to move around. However, they offer more functionalities such as Cardiac Imaging and also tend to cost more.

Tier (and Prices)

The new, used, and OEM refurbished ultrasound machines lie in 3 categories which are high-tier, mid-tier, and low-tier systems.

The high-tier ultrasound machines are made by highly reputable companies such as Phillips, more advanced, more functionalities, more durable, and of course costly. The prices of the new systems are about Ksh. 8 million upwards. However, when working on a tight budget one can still acquire a used or refurbished high-tier machine and still obtain great quality and service. OEM refurbished ultrasound machines go for Ksh. 6M – 7M while used ones go for about Ksh. 3M to 3.5 M.  One of the best high-tier machines is Mindray Resona 7. They are used by large health facilities.  You can check the current price of Mindray Resona 7 here.

The mid-tier ultrasound machines have a good build quality and several options. They are commonly used by radiology and fairly large private health clinics. The prices of this category of ultrasound machines are between Ksh. 4 M to 5.1 M for new units and Ksh. 1.5 to 2M when used. Refurbished units are sold for about Ksh. 2.6M to 3.1M. M. You can check the current price of Philips Ultrasound Machine here.

The low-tier ultrasound machines are the most affordable. They are ideal for basic operations and thus only recommended for small private clinics. Their price ranges from Ksh. 0.5 M to 2.5 M depending on the brand. It is not easy to come across used or refurbished low-tier machines because it is considered not worth refurbishing such low-priced equipment. You can check the current price of Mindray DC-30 here.

Summary Table of Ultrasound Machine Prices in Kenya by Tier

NB: The prices are in millions (Kenya Shillings)

Other Factors that Affect the Cost of Ultrasound Machines

The other factors include delivery, setup, application training, and maintenance. Learning how to operate this piece of expensive equipment on the patients can cost the user. Different types of machines require different levels of skills.

Maintenance, which is also known as service contract, is an arrangement that covers a piece of equipment in case it malfunctions. Maintenance packages include Parts Only, Time and Material, and Full-Service agreements. A Parts Only arrangement includes preventative maintenance (PM) as well as all the parts required to repair the ultrasound machine but the labour is charged differently.

The time and material arrangement includes one preventative maintenance per year at a pre-agreed rate for the servicing while the parts are sold at the prevailing market prices. A full-service agreement covers all the parts and labour related to servicing the machine including PM.

The maintenance cost is directly proportional to the type of machine and service level. A basic Time and Material arrangement including preventative maintenance can start somewhere from Ksh. 150,000 for a whole year while a Full Parts and Labour on a high-tier ultrasound machine can cost about Ksh. 1.5M per year.

On average, the maintenance cost is usually 10-15% of the purchase price. Thus, it is very important to keep in mind when evaluating the cost of ultrasound machine in Kenya.

How to Determine How Much to Spend on an Ultrasound Machine

It is highly recommended to always consider ones need and budget. It is good to keep in mind that low-tier ultrasound machines are less advanced and ideal for basic needs especially in smaller clinics.

Mid-tier machines have better options and recommended for radiology and bigger health facilities. High-tier ultrasound machines have advanced options for specialized settings and thus highly recommended for top facilities such as level 5 hospitals.

If you have been thinking about acquiring a new machine, consider a refurbished one first. If you wanted to buy refurbished machine, look into a used system first. This enables one to optimize the value for their money, reserve some money for maintenance (and related costs), and one has the chance to upgrade in the future.

A good example is where one had considered a mid-tier system worth Ksh. 5M. For the same price, one can acquire a good quality high-tier system with more functionalities especially for machines made in Philippines.

If you are looking for ultrasound machines for sale in Kenya, Medistus Limited has several to choose from. You can let us know the ultrasound Machine you are considering and we will provide you with a free quote.

Bottom Line

It is evident that there are many factors that determine the prices of ultrasound machines. They include age, size, tier, and maintenance among others. The average cost of an ultrasound machine in Kenya ranges depending on the above factors.

We are optimistic this guide helped understand ultrasound machine price in Kenya. It is good to consider all the factors when buying a machine.

Feel free to contact us if you have any more queries and also remember we can offer you the best options and configurations.