Just so you know, detaining patients over bills is illegal

WHO blames the detention of patients on deficits in the legal system. [Courtesy]

You must have been invited to an emergency medical harambee. It could have been either a patient detained in hospital over escalating unpaid bills or a loved one who died but burial plans put on hold over bills. Some bills run into millions of shillings pushing many families into financial destitution besides the stress that comes with a detained patient.  

And while the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned states against detention of patients and bodies over unpaid hospital bills as it contravenes human rights laws, a High Court judge in Kenya ruled that it is unconstitutional and thus illegal.