Nakuru residents to access free emergency treatment at public hospitals

Nakuru County residents who seek emergency medical services at public hospitals will not be charged any fees on admission to the facilities.

The assembly has passed a motion that compels the county government to provide free emergency treatment.

The motion sponsored by MCA Wahome Jambo Kenya compels the Health Executive Kariuki Gichuki to ensure that such patients get emergency treatment until their conditions stabilise. The county will also be expected to provide free ambulance services in case of referrals.

Mr Wahome noted that article 43 (2) of the Constitution provides that any person shall not be denied emergency medical treatment.

Emergency services include pre-hospital care, stabilising patients and arranging for referral cases where health providers do not have facilities to stabilise the patient.

Mr Wahome noted that most patients rushed to county hospitals for emergency treatment are often required to pay for certain services and drugs before being attended to.

He said this causes delays in administering emergency treatment and even death.

“I once rushed a patient to Nakuru Level Five Hospital and I was compelled to pay Sh6,000 before he was treated,” said Mr Wahome.

He added: "Another resident of my ward who fell from a tree died at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital because he could afford Computerised Tomography (CT). This is a life that could have been saved. This must now stop with the passing of this motion.”

Mr Wahome lamented that another patient was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital and was required to pay Sh8,000 for ambulance services.

Nominated MCA Jane Wambui Maina from Gilgil said expectant mothers referred for specialised treatment lack money and are bailed out by ward reps.

Viwandani MCA Eric Gichuki from Naivasha said: “The family of a hippo attack victim was forced to raise money to hire an ambulance to transfer the patient from Naivasha Sub-County Hospital to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialised treatment,” said Mr Gichuki.

Rhonda MCA Timothy Kabutu Kabiru said public hospitals should put health of patients first instead of money.

“An MCA was rushed at Nakuru Level Five Hospital and was not treated because he lacked Sh100. We set aside money in the annual budget to improve health services,” said Mr Kabutu.

Other MCAs who supported the motion included Rachel Maru (nominated), John Njuguna Ndonyo (Bahati), Stanley Karanja (Naivasha East), Samuel Kariuki Mugi (Mbaruk/Eburu), Daniel Kiprono Mutai (Mosop) while George Kiere Machoka (Kihingo) opposed the motion.

Governor Lee Kinyanjui must now assent to the motion before it can be implemented. 

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