Queries over fee limits for private hospitals

Nairobi, Kenya: The Government yesterday introduced new regulations to control the medical fees charged by doctors and private hospitals.

Those who defy the newly defined maximum curbs for various medical services will face penalties that include warnings, suspension of licences to deregistration depending on the magnitude of the offence.

But there were questions last night as to whether or not the new rates provided any significant relief to patients who have complained of exorbitant charges, though some of the maximum curbs were below some of the current charges. According to the new rates gazetted yesterday by Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu, it will be an offence for a private hospital or doctor to charge a mother delivering through caesarian section more than Sh180,000. Currently, some hospitals charge upwards of Sh250,000.

"We did this for the common good of citizens and practitioners because we have been operating with guidelines that had not been gazetted," said Daniel Yumbya, the chief executive and secretary of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB). But contacted separately by The Standard, Abdi Mohammed, the chairman of the Kenya Association of Private Hospitals, said the new rates were higher than what hospitals were charging.

"The fees are actually higher than what was there before. The common mwananchi who does not work for a company (that offers medical cover) will find it hard to afford the fees. But a doctor does not have to charge the maximum that is set," he said.

While preparing the regulations, the Government and KMPDB factored in the inflation rate, which has been on an upward trend. The guidelines, which will be subject to review after five years, were formulated using the economic survey.

For instance, it will now cost you between Sh1,800 and Sh5,000 for consultation with a general practitioner at any health facility within Kenya – whether public or private.

Seeing a specialist will attract a higher fee of between Sh3,600 and Sh7,500.

Other notable essential services in the list include normal delivery, which will cost between Sh36,000 and Sh72,000 and between Sh3,600 and Sh7,200 for pap smear.

The cost of x-ray will range from Sh120 to Sh30,000, with that for collarbone being the highest and for heels the lowest.

The HIV ELISA test will cost between Sh2,040 and Sh2,760, while the malaria concentration and fluorescent staining will cost between Sh720 and Sh1,440. Yumbya said the new guidelines touching on all treatments offered in hospitals would be implemented immediately.

"We will ensure the guidelines are implemented by all private institutions by disseminating the Gazette notice and monitoring the service providers," he said.

The board is also preparing booklets to be distributed to authorities who will act as points of reference in all 47 counties. The authorities include chiefs, county governments and county commissioners.

"The public who doubt rates being charged by a private hospital can check with the authorities and forward complaints to the board for action," he added.

The board also plans to hold workshops for all private practitioners in the country. Counties will be clustered based on regions to enable officers from the board to conduct the meetings. The new rules are not only meant to protect citizens, but also practitioners from unfair business practices such as undercutting, where a practitioner slashes prices to attract more customers.

When doctors are summoned to court to give expert evidence in a case, they will be paid Sh50,000 by the law firms.