By LINAH BENYAWA
A 21-year-old woman has been detained at the Coast Provincial General Hospital for 16 months after failing to raise a medical bill amounting to Sh400,000.
Joyce Waithera (pictured) who has had one of her legs amputated following a road accident has been living at the referral hospital since February 16, last year, even after the doctor in charge gave her a discharge letter on July 7.
She is unable to move from her hospital bed following the debt.
During the accident, Waithera who was eight and-a half months pregnant lost her baby.
KNOCKED DOWN
According to her cousin Jane Kariuki, Waithera was a casual labourer and her family is unable to raise the amount. Ms Kariuki said Waithera was going to Port Reitz Hospital in Changamwe, Mombasa, for a medical check-up when she was knocked down by a speeding lorry.
“The bill has become huge and the family is unable to raise the money. Waithera got a discharge letter on July 7 but she has been forced to stay in the hospital because we do not have the money to pay for her discharge,” said Kariuki.
According to a medical charge sheet from the provincial hospital seen by The Standard, Waithera was admitted on February 16 last year.
She was at female ward number 8 and was to be discharged on July 11.