‘Kenya belongs to the rich’: Woman cries after sister denied cancer treatment over Ksh.2K at KNH

A disheartening video has emerged online of two women crying outside Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) because one of them was allegedly denied treatment at the facility.

One of the two unidentified women in the undated video was reportedly diagnosed with cervical cancer but had to spend the night in the cold after the hospital allegedly denied her services since she was unable to pay Ksh.1,950.

The other women identifies the sick one as her younger sister who’s husband deserted her with children after learning of her condition.

She further states that she was unable to pay the Ksh.1,950 allegedly demanded by the hospital in order to take care of her sister since she cleans other people’s laundry for a living.

“This Kenya belongs to the rich, those who do not have money are invisible,” the elder sister is heard saying at one point in the video amidst tears.

KNH Communications Officer Hezekiel Gikambi, however, dismissed the women’s allegations saying if they had a genuine complaint then they could have submitted it through their Customer Service offices and not on social media.

Mr. Gikambi also stated that the duo, alongside the person who recorded the video, could have been acting out of malice saying; “they possibly could not have been turned away because this is a public hospital and we serve many people including street children whom we write off their bills.”

“We are however looking for them and urging members of the public to come forward with their contact information so that they can tell us exactly what happened and who turned them away so that we can see how to help,” he added.

This lady was denied healthcare services at a public facility, Kenyatta Hospital because she couldn't afford to pay Ksh 1,950. She spent a night in the cold. @IGkimaiyo @fnoluga you work there? This is against the constitution, Article 43 (1)a @MOH_Kenya @thekhrc #SemaUkweli pic.twitter.com/ZLUxB1lld4

— Sema Ukweli (@SemaUkweliKenya) March 27, 2019

The video has now caused both anger and sadness amongst Kenyans on social media with a majority of them lashing out at the hospital’s management as well as the Ministry of Health.

The government needs to come up with a mechanism of helping such people. This is a disaster awaiting to strike, cancer is becoming very rampant, its very costly and it is not being addressed.

— Simplicity…… (@KeruboSonia) March 28, 2019

Being poor in this country is crime.

— CP (@congoplanets) March 27, 2019

This is sad. It’s not right at all. We can’t be this inhuman not regarding the health of other people just because they don’t have money. @KNH_hospital this hurts to the marrow.

— Joshua Munywoki (@Joshu_Munywoki) March 28, 2019

https://twitter.com/Hareyke/status/1111251954423001089

The sad state of Kenya today. No citizen rich or poor should be denied healthcare. We can afford it if the politicians allow it. But for now its sad.

— kmg2017 (@kmGicuru) March 28, 2019

Reminds me of the promises made by both camps during election campaigns. Early last month In Finland,their PM couldn’t fulfill the promise of quality health care to his people, and had to resign voluntarily.

— Ali 'Mwamvita' Manzu (@Ali_Manzu) March 28, 2019

What will befall this nation. Only God knows. This level of disregard for human life is worse than slavery. Crime against humanity.

— JM_ Crick (@crick_jerry) March 27, 2019

"Mimi kazi yangu ni kibarua ya kufua nguo,hao madaktari nawafulia nguo ndo wanakataa kunitibia mgonjwa"..

That really crushed me mehn,

— kichwa ndogo, akili kubwa (@afgangstar) March 28, 2019