Ailing health system could do with dose of inspiration

A KTN investigative report recently showed a group of women with their newborns locked up in a room at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, for failing to pay medical bills. Although they were eventually released, with the help of well-wishers, the hospital administration later made it clear the institution largely depended on fees from patients. It’s a position hard to argue with.

first things first

But for every case of detained patients uncovered, hundreds go unreported. The need for decent and affordable or ‘free’ health is one the country continues to grapple with. It even provided inspiration for then Health Minister Charity Ngilu’s ill-fated National Social Health Insurance Fund Bill 2004. Why the proposed ambitious universal health scheme did not go past President Kibaki’s desk is beyond PointBlank’s ken.

Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o has suggested he, too, has a similar plan in mind. This column remains cynical, but wishes the good professor well. In the meantime, we first prefer an improvement in services, access and management of medical facilities.

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On your way to Kinoo, a few kilometres from Nairobi, is the 87 Junction where motorists headed for Kanyariri or Ndumboini divert and use an underpass. However, says Mr Steve K, a resident of nearby Uthiru, the road has become a danger zone from as early as 7pm with carjackers lurking in the darkness. He says "we are dying" in the hands of the gun-wielding thugs.

"The problem is compounded by the pathetic state of the road. The criminals’ job is made easier because vehicles move slowly to avoid the bad sections. Why won’t the road be rehabilitated?" he asks.

Steve would like to know whether it is Roads Minister Franklin Bett, Kikuyu MP Lewis Nguyai or the local council that should be held responsible for the long overdue repairs.

He is also scared the number of guns in the area seems to be abnormally high. Since he has seen the police use gun detectors elsewhere, he wants Internal Security Minister George Saitoti to send some officers with the gadgets to save residents. Steve says the outcome will no doubt shock Prof Saitoti.

"The insecurity and pathetic road should be looked into urgently, " he says.