The County Government of Nairobi, through Governor Johnson Sakaja on Wednesday, January 1, waived medical bills worth over Ksh2.5 million owed to the medical facilities using the Social Health Authority (SHA) program.
The humanitarian gesture by the county will see the discharge of over 81 mothers stranded in four major hospitals due to financial constraints.
Governor Sakaja reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare access, hailing SHA as a good initiative to help patients in need without financial capabilities to meet their health needs.
“Our hospitals are now better managed, with CEOs heading the Level 5 facilities, which has attracted more patients. We cannot turn away mothers in need simply because they cannot pay,” he remarked.
At Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, 25 mothers were discharged after the hospital waived Ksh987,345. Commenting on the move by the county, Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital CEO Martin Wafula confirmed the pending bills were cleared through the Social Health Authority program.
He explained that the hospital had made arrangements with SHA after registering the mothers. “We decided to pay for them through SHA. We registered them for one year at a cost of Ksh120,000,” he stated.
“SHA will clear their outstanding bill of Ksh987,345 and help them understand why they need it, so they can continue to pay for it in the future,” he added.
Similarly, at Mbagathi County Referral Hospital, 17 mothers were discharged after the Ksh782,100 bill was waived. Hospital CEO Alexander Irungu confirmed that the county waived the bills for mothers who had been stuck there for days.
“Following the Governor’s directive to waive these bills, we have put in place plans to register more people under the Social Health Authority to ensure they benefit. This will make it easier for them to pay next time,” Irungu stated.
Additionally, 28 mothers stranded at Pumwani Maternity Hospital due to unpaid bills totalling Ksh420,000 were discharged. Hospital CEO Christine Kiteshu confirmed the release.
“The governor asked that they be discharged. We made prior arrangements, and they were discharged,” Kiteshu explained.
At Mutuini County Hospital, CEO Fredrick Obwanda confirmed that 11 mothers were discharged after Ksh330,000 in medical bills were waived, following Governor Sakaja’s directive.
“As a New Year goodwill gesture by the Governor, the 11 mothers will not pay the Ksh 330,000 and have been released,” Obwanda confirmed. Following the waiver, SHA civic education and registration were conducted in county hospitals.
