KNH denies claims to 'kick out' Mandera attack patients over payment

NAIROBI, KENYA: The Government has denied claims that Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) was bound to kick out victims of the ill-fated Mandera bus attack over payment.
Newly appointed Cabinet Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr Cleopa Mailu on Sunday refuted the claims, insisting that is not how the country's largest referral hospital operates.
Instead, the CS said the government will foot the bills of the two patients.
"KNH has a small kitty from which it can draw some cash. However, if this becomes overwhelming then the bill will be forwarded to the central government, "said Dr Mailu after visiting the patients.
Mailu was responding to allegations doing rounds on social media that spelt doom for the two patients who were admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
According to the lobbying spearheaded by Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow on twitter, the two patients- a 16 year old form four student and a teacher at Mandera County Primary School- needed help in paying the bills in order to continue receiving treatment after being admitted on December 22.
"The issue that KNH was going to switch off the life support machines is untrue. It is not ethical to deny a patient care whether in a public or private health institution because of payment. Treat the patient then claim later," Mailu said.
Currently, the student -Abdi Rashid- is the one still in the ICU while Salah Farah, the teacher has been transferred to the ward after undergoing two surgeries to remove a bullet lodged in his lower abdomen that paralyzed his hips.