The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has raised alarm over a troubling incident at Abyan Hospital in Eastleigh, Nairobi, where a child was allegedly held against their will due to an unpaid medical bill of Ksh3 million.
The case came to light after Citizen TV aired the story of Esther Ulavu, a mother whose child developed complications after what was supposed to be a routine surgery.
Initially referred to Kenyatta National Hospital for specialized care, the ambulance instead took the child to Abyan Hospital, where the family claims they were denied access to the child until they cleared the hefty bill.
KMPDC CEO Dr. David Kariuki said in a statement on Wednesday that detaining a patient especially a child over medical fees is not only unethical but deeply undermines public trust in the health system.
“This type of behavior is contrary to the compassionate care and professional behavior expected of every medical institution,” noted Dr. Kariuki.
The Council has now acted to have the child taken to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital for continued treatment.
Dr. Kariuki also indicated that formal investigations have been launched in consultation with the relevant authorities. He assured that any individual or facility found liable for illegal detention will be taken care of by the law.
KMPDC is now appealing to all hospitals across the country to tighten precautions to protect patients, especially vulnerable ones like children, and place ethical care above everything else.
“No child or patient should ever be used as leverage over hospital bills. It is a violation of both medical ethics and basic human decency,” the Council emphasized.