In what can only be termed as egregious, a new survey that just came out indicates that most hospitals in Nairobi are demanding outrageous sums of money for admission into ICU (Intensive Care Unit).
To secure an Intensive Care Unit hospital bed will cost you up to Kshs 650,000.00 in Nairobi.
The survey which was carried out by the Kenya Medical Practitioners’ and Dentists Council (KMPDC) across major hospitals in the City on Tuesday, March the 23rd, revealed this outrageous finding.
MP Shah Hospital
MP Shah Hospital is at capacity; they only have 6 beds, with a required deposit of Kshs 650,000.00.
Nairobi Hospital
Nairobi Hospital is at capacity as well; they have 36 beds; with charges ranging from KShs 130,000 to Kshs 300,000.00. They do not require a deposit as long as the payment is guaranteed.
Nairobi West Hospital
There are 46 ICU beds at the Nairobi West Hospital, with 23 beds still available as of Tuesday evening, and they charge a deposit of Kshs 300,000, which requires some sort of guarantee, but do not deny treatment due to the required deposit.
Kenyatta National Hospital
State-Run Kenyatta National Hospital with a total of 86 ICU beds is at capacity and cannot accept anymore patients, even though they do not demand any deposit fee before admission.
KMPDC Warning Letter
KMPDC fired off a warning to the hospitals asking for a deposit amount before admitting patients requiring emergency services.
“The council’s position is that no person should be denied emergency medical treatment/ICU services regardless of their condition, whether COVID-19 related or not. This is further outlined in the National Patients’ Rights Charter developed by the council in 2013,” KMPDC said in the letter.
This is in line with the National Patients Rights Charter developed by the council in 2013.