Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has directed public hospitals to end the practice of bed-sharing, terming it a longstanding issue that must be addressed urgently to restore patient dignity.
The directive was issued during a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) session in Mombasa with the National Assembly Health Committee and key stakeholders in the health sector.
Duale expressed concern over reports of multiple patients sharing a single hospital bed, even as hospitals bill the Social Health Authority (SHA) as if each patient occupied a separate bed.
“We cannot have four people sharing one bed and still charge SHA for four separate beds,” he said.
“If you want to admit more patients, buy more beds,” he added, emphasising the need for expanded infrastructure to meet growing demand.
The CS also highlighted the plight of patients forced to sleep on the floor or share beds with strangers suffering from different illnesses, calling the situation unacceptable.
“There is no reason a Kenyan should sleep on the floor while others share a bed, especially when they don’t know each other or have the same condition,” he stated.
Separately, on June 29, Duale announced a crackdown on fraudulent activities targeting the SHA Fund. He warned of consequences for healthcare facilities, workers, and patients found abusing the system.
Duale revealed that 31 private hospitals across several counties had been shut down over alleged irregularities involving the public health fund.
“We have closed seven hospitals in Kisumu and others in Bungoma, Busia, Nairobi, Mandera, Wajir, Kajiado, and Kilifi,” he said.
