- NWH denies allegations, saying it was antithetical to their foundational principles
- Accusations of unnecessary admissions and medical procedures have been leveled against hospital over the years
Image: FILE
Three health insurance companies have suspended services at Nairobi Women’s Hospital for allegedly generating revenues from patients unfairly.
This also follows an expose that the hospital forces patients to undertake unnecessary tests and procedures.
Old mutual, CIC and AAR suspension took effect yesterday. The firms urged members to seek services from alternative hospitals as cash payments to the hospital may not be reimbursed.
In a statement, Nairobi Women's board of directors denied the allegations, saying it was antithetical to their foundational principles.
“We take these allegations very seriously and are conducting an internal review as well as cooperating with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dental Council as they carry out their independent review,” the statement said.
NWH has a wide range of outpatient and inpatient services with nine branches in Nairobi, Kajiado, Nakuru, Meru and Mombasa counties. The hospital plans to expand to other counties.
Accusations have been leveled against the hospital over the years, leaving Kenyans wondering about the credibility of its operations.
A leaked WhatsApp group post from Nakuru branch where doctors report to their daily admissions said staff are given daily target revenues.
According to the conversation, medical staff have to come up with delayed discharges, escalated prices of drugs and unnecessary admissions.
Elizabeth Maina gave birth to her second child at NWH and narrated to the Star how the hospital convinced her to get blood samples for her daughter every time she visited the health facility.
“I gained trust at the hospital after I safely delivered my child and decided that it would be my hospital of choice including for the rest of the family,” she said.
“But whenever my daughter fell sick, the doctors would convince me that she would need to check her blood which gave my daughter psychological trauma up to date. I felt like blood testing was too unnecessary for her and that was the moment I realize that the institution was trying to extract more money from us,” she said.
She said they once tried to admit her daughter for three days for a minor illness that only required medication.
“They told us that she required a drip because she did not have enough water in her body. That did not make sense to me. I remember the nurse threatening me that I would regret if I did not admit her. We walked away and lied to her that we would report the following day when we were financially ready and that was my last time to go there,” she said.