Crisis Hits Mbagathi Hospital as Discharged Patients Refuse to Go Home over Tough Economic Times

 

At least 40 people who were previously admitted to Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi have found an unexpected haven following their discharge. Mbagathi County and Referral Hospital in Nairobi where patients have decided to stay. Patients stay in hospital for solace Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna visited the healthcare facility to assess the dire situation it is facing, which threatens its operational stability.  Sifuna, after conversing with some of the discharged individuals, revealed that they attributed their decision to the harsh economic climate and their inability to afford food at home. According to Citizen TV, they chose to remain at the hospital, where the compassionate doctors provided them with food. "Somebody has been treated and discharged but would rather stay in hospital than go home. They are saying the situation at home is worse than the Mbagathi hospital. At least here, they are guaranteed a meal," he said. However, the prolonged residency of these individuals at the facility compounds the financial challenges faced by the hospital, further amplifying its substantial debts. What crisis is Mbagathi Hospital facing? As of February 4, reports indicate that the hospital is indebted to suppliers with an outstanding amount exceeding KSh 119 million. This accumulated debt originated during the period when Nairobi Metropolitan Services, now declared defunct, managed the facility. Simultaneously, the hospital is awaiting payment of more than KSh 80 million from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) under the Linda Mama programme. The implementation of this initiative led to a doubling of the patient influx at the hospital, surpassing its designed capacity of 347 beds. "Indeed, the debt is there, accrued during the NMS administration. They have been taken by the office of the president, who is in the process of auditing the debts and handing them over to Nairobi. We have enlisted KEMSA to supply medicines," said Patrick Analo, Nairobi county secretary. The hospital management had started expanding their facility to handle more cases and emergencies, but the efforts have been halted because the contractor has not been paid. 

by  Nancy Odindo