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Consumers lobby petitions MPs over hospitals exploitation

COFEK

Cofek secretary-general Stephen Mutoro. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek) has asked Parliament to look into unfair practices in private and public hospitals to shield Kenyans from exploitation.

Among illicit practices that the lobby is contending are unnecessary admissions, revenue targets, hidden costs, insurance fraud and detention of patients.

Cofek secretary-general Stephen Mutoro told the National Assembly Health Committee some hospitals were billing patients depending on the perceived socio-economic status of the patient’s relatives.

“Most hospitals withhold logbooks and title deeds and do everything possible to keep the patients longer than necessary knowing that majority will lose their attached property. We are concerned that outpatients being compelled to be admitted where admission is not necessary. Their target is raising money,” Mr Mutoro said.

Cofek petitioned Parliament following an incident where MP Shah Hospital billed the late Matilda Onyango Sh860,000 despite being in the hospital for less than 12 hours.

A public outcry over the exorbitant cost compelled the hospital to waive the bill and allowed the family to pick the body for burial.

Mr Mutoro told the committee chaired by Murang'a Women Representative Sabina Chege that there was clear collusion by doctors to defraud insurance companies.

“Some doctors refer patients to those specific chemists even with the availability of the said medication in the hospital where it is sold at a cheaper price,” he said.

He added that patients detained in hospitals for failing to pay the whole bill are continually billed the same way as patients admitted at the facilities.

The lobby wants want Parliament to draft a Bill that will address the issues and shield patients from rogue hospitals and doctors.