Nyeri in push for private wings in hospitals

The Nyeri county government plans to introduce private wings in Level 4 hospitals.

This comes after Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga (pictured) signed the County Finance Bill, 2020, into law.

The move, however, will see patients dig deeper into their pockets, to settle high medical bills.

Changes in the amended revenue law include introduction of county amenity hospitals —  private wings — to be located within Level 4 and later Level 5 facilities.

Health Services Chief Officer Newton Wambugu said the new charges would start at Mt Kenya Level 4 Hospital and gradually extended to Level 4 hospitals in Mukurweini, Karatina, Othaya and Narumoru.

“The private wings will offer health services at market prices to generate revenue for the county, with access to specialised units such as ICU made easier for patients,” he said.

The plan comes three months after the Universal Health Coverage pilot programme ended. It offered free health services to all registered residents.

Patients who previously paid as little as Sh6,000 to access Karia Rehabilitation Centre will now pay Sh60,000.

“The county has invested heavily in rehabilitation centres and we were previously not charging for the services, but we would like to have the facility accredited by NHIF,” Wambugu said.

Under the new law, Nyeri County will also collect fees for power generation through hydro, solar and wind energy.

“Power generation that produces between 1 megawatt and 100 megawatts will be charged Sh20,000 while projects that generate over 300 megawatts will pay over Sh100,000 annually,” the law states.