KOT bash doctors at private hospitals after WhatsApp conversations leak

KOT bash doctors at private hospitals after WhatsApp conversations leak

A viral conversation on Twitter paints a grim picture of the Kenyan healthcare system especially in private hospitals.

There are claims from several quarters that private hospitals are minting money from unsuspecting patients, a trend that has apparently escalated over the years.

— Mamabear (@__awesomali) January 21, 2020

You guys should see how these private hospitals discuss you like commodities on their Whatsapp groups. Admissions are an hourly, I repeat hourly, not even daily, target,” said Owaahh, a researcher and blogger.

1. Getting admitted even when unnecessary

A leaked conversation shows hospital bosses setting targets for the number of people who should be admitted by the end of the day.

With these targets, doctors will admit patients who do not necessarily require to be admitted.

The conversation seems to be between medics at one of the hospitals in the country.

Some doctors who saw the conversation online criticised their colleagues for tainting the image of the medical profession.

“I’m a doctor myself and I can only say that this is completely unethical. When one feels that corporate interests override patient’s needs, quit the profession.
Go sell something if you want to discuss targets,” Kithi Kamau said.

Another Twitter user, Jaica, added: “I am a medic n I keep encouraging my family members n friends to always use public hospitals despite the obvious challenges the public sector faces. I’d rather be prescribed meds n buy in a chemist rather than go to private hospitals.”

2.  Delayed discharge from hospital

In snippets of another conversation on WhatsApp seen by Citizen Digital, hospital bosses allegedly ask doctors to delay discharging some patients as it is not sustainable for business.

3. Deliberate Misdiagnosis

Several Kenyans on Twitter also noted that they had been misdiagnosed when they went to hospital. One was apparently forced to go for the H Pylori medication that according to her was unnecessary.

— Joyce Wanjiru (@TheOneShiro) January 22, 2020

4. Admitting patients to the ICU even when unnecessary 

A user claimed that a Ruai-based hospital had recommended that a patient be admitted to ICU even before conclusive tests to ascertain the nature of the illness.

— Adelaide Odhiambo (@AdelaideOdhiam) January 22, 2020

5. Recommending constant consultation for incurable conditions

A tweep with a skin condition was told they could not be cured and had to part with Ksh.5,000 for every consultation before they could pick a prescription.

A different hospital at their school however said the condition is curable and are currently handling it.

— ♣️♠️ (@MonyqueXO) January 21, 2020

6. Colluding with insurance companies so that patients pay more

Have you noticed that sometimes, the bill is higher if you are paying with your insurance?

— Mansa Musa 👑 (@_moses_chacha) January 21, 2020

— david kuria (@tryKuria) January 21, 2020

7. Treatment that doesn’t cure ailment but costs an arm and a leg

One Kenyan noted that they had been treated for eczema by a doctor who sprayed them with liquid nitrogen which never cured them.

They were later able to manage the condition with propolis.  Needless to add that they had to part with Ksh.8,000 for the one session of treatment.

— Kwani ni nini? (@LizzInjinia) January 21, 2020

https://twitter.com/eddbrainy/status/1219913735348899840?s=20

8. Increased cases of Caesarian sections

Some have accused private hospitals of misleading expectant mothers into getting a caesarian section because it is twice as expensive and the new mum stays longer in hospital.

— Dr_Greenwood (@KushTonny) January 22, 2020

9. Inflating the price of drugs

Some private hospitals inflate drugs from their in-house pharmacies in the rush for the coin. The same medication is cheaper by a mile in local pharmacies.

— Ms Gitau (@DeeFaiza) January 22, 2020

 

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Healthcare private hospitals

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