Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has ordered investigations into allegations of malpractice by a few health workers accused of colluding with private clinic owners to deny patients services and medications in order to refer them to the private facilities. The governor said those found guilty will face legal action in addition to termination.
Speaking at the groundbreaking of the Uthiru Level Three Hospital in Kabete, the governor expressed concern over reports of patients being denied care and treatment at public health facilities. He said that despite significant investments in the health sector, including securing drug supplies and acquiring necessary equipment, some unscrupulous individuals were deliberately depriving patients of essential services.
The governor highlighted that complaints had been received in various county hospitals, including Thika, Kiambu, and Tigoni, where patients reported difficulties in finding health workers, manufactured claims of “unavailability of some services,” and alleged lack of drugs. He stressed that such practices were unacceptable and would not be tolerated.
To address these issues, the governor directed that drugs be prominently displayed in open pharmacies for patients to see, and also instructed health workers to prescribe alternative medicines for treating illnesses when necessary. This would ensure that patients are not turned away due to a prescription of an unavailable drug, especially when other options exist to treat the same ailment.
