Hospital detains boy for five days in public toilet over unpaid bill

BY BRUNO MUTUNGA

ISIOLO, KENYA: A 14-year-old boy has been detained in a toilet at the Isiolo Level 4 Hospital for the last five days.

While narrating the ordeal to journalists, Francis Kiplagat said he had gone out of the ward to enjoy sunshine on Tuesday when a female guard at the hospital thought he intended to escape due to unsettled hospital bill.

He said he was locked in a toilet where he has been since Tuesday evening.

He recounted how his mother took him to the hospital when he suffered stomach problems and used to bring him food but deserted him when hewas given the nod to leave the hospital after he got well.

His mother then simply decided not to visit him anymore as she does not have the money to cater for the bill. Kiplagat said for the five days he has been in the toilet, he hasn’t even taken his medication.

inhuman act

Isiolo County Woman Rep Tiya Galgalo and Isiolo North Member of Parliament Joseph Samal have condemned the act, which they termed inhuman.

Galgalo ordered the immediate transfer of the boy from the hospital and called for speedy investigations into the heinous act to bring the perpetrators to book.

Isiolo deputy County Commissioner David Kipkemei said thorough investigation will be done to establish the reasons behind the act and subject the perpetrators to the due course of the law.

Cases of mistreatment in government hospitals have been on the rise.