Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja recently waived medical bills totaling over Ksh. 2.5 million, facilitating the discharge of 81 mothers stranded in four major hospitals due to unpaid bills. This gesture comes as part of Sakaja’s ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility for Nairobi residents.
At Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, 25 mothers were discharged after their outstanding medical bills of Ksh. 987,345 were settled through the Social Health Authority (SHA) program. Martin Wafula, the CEO of the hospital, confirmed that the mothers were enrolled in the SHA program, which will cover their healthcare costs for a year, valued at Ksh. 120,000. This initiative not only cleared the outstanding bills but also aims to help the mothers understand the importance of maintaining their health coverage for the future.
“The bill for the 25 mothers was Ksh. 987,345. We decided to pay for them through SHA. We registered them for one year at a cost of Ksh. 120,000,” Wafula explained. “SHA will clear their outstanding bill of Ksh. 987,345 and help them understand why they need it, so they can continue to pay for it in the future.”
Mbagathi Hospital also benefited from the governor’s intervention, with 17 mothers being discharged after their bills, amounting to Ksh. 782,100, were waived. Similarly, at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, 28 mothers were able to leave after their combined arrears of Ksh. 420,000 were cleared. Hospital CEO Christine Kiteshu confirmed that the governor had personally instructed for the mothers to be discharged, underscoring the priority placed on their well-being.
“The Governor asked that they be discharged. We made prior arrangements, and they were discharged,” Kiteshu said, emphasizing the efficiency of the process.
Additionally, Mutuini County Hospital discharged 11 mothers, clearing a total of Ksh. 330,000 in outstanding medical bills. Fredrick Obwanda, the hospital’s CEO, expressed gratitude for the governor’s support in alleviating the financial strain on the affected mothers.
Governor Sakaja’s decision to clear these bills reflects his administration’s broader efforts to improve healthcare access and management in Nairobi. He highlighted the role of competent leadership in healthcare facilities as key to attracting more patients, particularly mothers who need vital care.
“We cannot turn away mothers in need simply because they cannot pay,” Sakaja affirmed, emphasizing his administration’s unwavering commitment to healthcare reform and inclusivity. The waiver of these medical bills is a testament to the governor’s resolve to ensure that no one is denied essential services due to financial constraints.
