“Hakuna operation alienda, hakuna theatre alienda,” Woman claims after sister’s body detained at KNH

On March 29, Gladys Mwihaki lost all hope at KNH after the facility initially declined to offer treatment to her 33-year old sister Esther Waruiru.

Four months later, the sister died, months after she was diagnosed with vulvar cancer and cryptococcal meningitis, an infection of the brain and spinal column.

Unfortunately, her sisters’ body is detained by the hospital over a bill of Ksh. 201,042 following a month of hospital admission.

Gladys believes that if events of March had not occurred, her sisters’ health could have improved.

“Walisema lazima nifungue card ndo nitibiwe, nikajua ni mia saba, nikarudi na mia saba. Kufika hapo wakasema ni Ksh. 1950, na kuwauliza kwa nini na sister yangu amelala hapo bila usaidizi, wakasema kama sina pesa nirudi na mgonjwa wangu, ndo nikabeba sister yangu….” she told CitizenTV.

A good samaritan saw her desperation and offered her Ksh. 3000 that she used to secure an admission at the hospital for a week before she was discharged only to return on May 20 where she was admitted at the ward until her demise.

“Nilikuwa naenda napata tu anaumia, nikienda bado anaumia, nikiuliza wanasema nilipe Ksh. 30,000 daktari wa theater alipwe, mimi sikupata hio Ksh. 30,000 nilipe deposit sister yangu aende theatre,” Gladys said.

Unfortunately, Gladys and her sister had no NHIF card, that would have perhaps eased the process.

With no money to secure her sister the surgery she so much required to remove a cancerous mass in her body, the bill that now stares at her for surgical and X-ray services.

Gladys however alleges that her sister never got the services as she could not afford them.

“Hakuna operation alienda, hakuna theatre alienda, ata blood mimi nilitafuta watu na sijaelewa hii bill…hawataki kuongea na mimi kwa sasa wamekataa kabisa,” she told Citizen TV.

The Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) through its communication office said they will provide a clear response after concluding their investigations into the matter.

So far, from the fundraising she has had with a few friends and other well wishers, Gladys has managed to raise Ksh. 82,000.

Her late sister is survived by two children who are now under the care of Gladys.