Doctors oppose State plan to limit medical fees for patients

Kenya Medical Association President Dr.Jacqueline Ktulu (Left) converse with Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union Secretary General Dr.Ouma Olunga (Right) after press conferences on 5th January 2018 at Kenya Medical Association(KMA),They support Universal Health Coverage(UHC). [Photo: Edward Kiplimo/Standard]
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The National Assembly Health Committee had in December 2018 given the MPDB one month to revise doctors fees. The directive was informed by cases the Committee chaired by Murang’a County Woman Representative Sabina Chege had received especially private hospitals charging patients exorbitant fees. One of the cases, which ignited this debate is that of Matilda Anyango whose family was slapped with a medical bill of more than Sh800,000 at MP Shah Hospital after a 12 hour stay in the Intensive Care Unit before she passed on. The KMA president said they are willing to enter into a broad discussion on total cost of healthcare, not limited to private practitioner’s fee. “We therefore shall not participate in the stakeholders' meeting scheduled for January 8 and advise all our members to stay away,” Kitulu said.SEE ALSO :Medical Board given one month to revise doctor fee charges
Part of the plan by the government through Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is to have a standard fee for all medical procedures that should be adopted by public and private healthcare providers. However, Kitulu said the government should come out and clarify the relationship between UHC and private healthcare providers.