In efforts to restore its reputation, Nairobi Women's Hospital on Monday, June 26, denied reports of extorting investors and detaining patients in some of its facilities.
In a press release, the hospital insisted that it subscribes to policies that advocate against detaining patients, aligning with a High Court ruling that vehemently condemned such actions.
"The Nairobi Women's Hospital does not detain patients for any reason at any of our hospitals as alleged. We have fully complied with the ruling by the High Court of Kenya, Constitutional and Human Rights Division - Petition No. 242 of 2018 and have aligned our policies and practices," its statement read in part.
Further, the medical facility dismissed a report aired on Citizen TV on Sunday, June 25, which claimed that the hospital extorted investors alleged to have provided funding earmarked to subsidize treatment expenses.
In a detailed letter, the hospital insisted that it had not received the funds from the alleged investors.
"The Nairobi Women's Hospital has never received any grants from the said Direct Foreign Investments (DFIs) for subsidising patients' medical bills. The Nairobi Women's Hospital has never received any funds from the said DFIs, whatsoever.
"Our mission is to provide quality, accessible and affordable healthcare in a sustainable way to the lower and middle class, which we have successfully done over the last 22 years," the hospital maintained.
On ownership, the city-based hospital explained that it had partnered with various investors who own shares in the facility. The government approved all the investors, Nairobi Hospital management explained.
It assured its patients that it was committed to providing quality healthcare.
"The Nairobi Women's Hospital remains committed to providing quality, accessible and affordable healthcare and sincerely regrets any distress that these unfortunate allegations may have caused to our patients, their families, the public and all other stakeholders," the Nairobi Women's Hospital insisted.
Oxfam International, a non-governmental organisation championing the end of the injustice of poverty, listed Nairobi Women's Hospital among private hospital chains accused of failing to subsidise the cost of health services despite receiving funding from development finance institutions.
In other developments, Nairobi Governor recently launched a crackdown against city hospitals accused of violating human rights. Sakaja, in April 2023, purged the entire Mama Lucy Hospital board after reports alleged that an expectant lady lost her unborn baby due to negligence.
Additionally, Sakaja initiated a management reshuffle at Pumwani Hospital with the aim of enhancing the quality of services provided to expectant mothers.
While making the changes, Sakaja insisted it was key to revitalising healthcare in public hospitals.
