KMPDU sues KNH Board over planned construction of private hospital

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has sued the Kenyatta National Hospital Board (KNHB) and Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki over the decision to construct a private hospital.

This comes after KNH Board last month revealed that it will put up a Ksh.15 billion 7-storey private hospital to fund public services in the parent institution.

The Board said construction of the Level Six 300-bed facility, standing on 3.6 hectares, will begin in 2020 and that it will offer premium services as a standalone facility with 500 motor vehicle parking slots.

However, according to the union, the project was undertaken without any public participation despite the fact that KNH is a public institution.

KMPDU, in court papers seen by Citizen Digital, argued that there is no goodwill in the project saying it is tainted with illegalities and irregularities.

The union further stated that the project will amount to privatization of public health care in Kenya, adding that it will negatively affect the right of Kenyans to attain health care as guaranteed in the constitution.

“The project will lead to discrimination in the provision of health at KNH as the private hospital will be more equipped and staffed for profit to the detriment of the referral hospital,” read the petition.

KMPDU now wants the court to issue conservatory orders barring the respondents from continuing with the project pending hearing and determination of the case.