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Protests As Inpatient Charges Are Increased
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 17 July 2007 23:44
The new rates came into effect three months ago, with the opening of a Sh11-million amenity wing. They include Sh500 a night and a similar amount as doctors' fees for those admitted to the amenity wing.
Locals are up in arms against the charges and want Health minister Charity Ngilu to clarify amenity ward charges at public hospitals.
Yesterday, a man who had gone to the hospital to clear a relative's bill after three days in admission protested to the Press about the charges.
"I was shocked when I was given a bill of Sh7,000," Mr James Aminga said. "I tried to protest, but they threatened to detain the patient if I didn't pay."
He asked why inpatients were paying the professional fee to be attended by government doctors. Neither the medical officer of health, Dr Eric Abunga, nor members of the hospital management board could be reached for comment. The number of patients seeking free treatment from rural health facilities in Trans Nzoia District has gone up.
Area medical officer of health Meshack Liru said the six health centres and 25 dispensaries in the district had reported an increase in the number of patients visiting them since the launch of free health services on July 1.
Measures have been put in place to ensure quality services. Some of the staff have been transferred from stations with fewer patients to busier ones. Mr Liru said the free services were only offered at rural health centres and dispensaries upon payment of a Sh10 or Sh20 registration fee. District hospitals are not included in the scheme.
He said there was confusion and misunderstanding among the public, some of whom have been visiting the district hospital seeking free health services.
Since the district had a shortage of medical staff, Dr Liru urged the Government to post more clinical and public health officers and nurses there.
On the upsurge of malaria and typhoid in Kwanza and Endebess, the doctor said two field treatment camps have been set up in the two divisions.
Six people died last month of malaria in Chorlim and Kapkoi centres while five people are still admitted at Kitale District Hospital. Dr Liru assured members of the public that there was enough medicine for the diseases.
