A Tanzanian national, Maria Maria, had been stuck at the Nakuru Level Five Hospital since August 2022 due to a pending medical bill of Ksh430K until the area governor Susan Kihika cleared her bill and that of 64 others.
Maria who reallocated to Tanzania after her Kenyan husband persuaded her was knocked down by a car while walking on the road.
She was rushed to the hospital by a good samaritan and admitted for treatment.
Medical reports from the hospital indicated she fractured her right leg and incurred other injuries too.
Furthermore, the hospital noted that none of her relatives visited her at the facility since she was admitted.
The hospital was hesitant to release her after the good gesture by Kihika, arguing that it was concerned for her wellbeing.
"She is okay to be discharged after the waiver, but our worry is where she will go. She doesn't know anyone and also no one has ever come in to say that they are her relatives,” a nurse stated.
Maria, 47, however, insisted that she has a family in Chato, Tanzania that was waiting for her return.
"I will be happy the day I reunite with my family. I have been in the hospital for a long time. I left my five children back at home.
"I know my family is worried and they will be happy when they see me," she said
The patient was also grateful to the hospital staff that took care of her during her admission.
Kihika toured the facility on Wednesday, August 31, and surprised the patients with a Ksh5 million gift.
With the amount, 64 patients aged between 7 and 80 who had been detained due to pending medical bills were pardoned and discharged.
"During the ward rounds, one thing touched my heart. I found out that some patients have stayed in the hospital for months despite completing treatment but have not been discharged after failing to raise the money to offset their bills,” she explained.
