Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has launched an investigation into reports of malpractice within county hospitals, after allegations surfaced that some health facilities were involved in fraudulent activities. These claims suggest that certain hospitals have been making unnecessary referrals to private clinics, pressuring patients to purchase medication and services they don’t need.
During the groundbreaking ceremony for Uthiru Hospital in Kabete, Wamatangi addressed the growing concerns about the integrity of the county’s healthcare system. He stated that some health workers have been colluding with private facilities, referring patients to specific chemists or clinics for treatments that could have been provided by public hospitals. This, according to the governor, is a tactic to defraud patients by forcing them to seek out services and medications from private businesses.
Wamatangi emphasized that Kiambu County had already made significant investments in its public health sector to ensure that drugs and necessary medical services are readily available. He assured the public that his administration is dedicated to providing quality and affordable healthcare to all residents, and vowed to tackle any form of corruption within the system.
“Somebody comes in for a simple headache that can be treated with Panadol, but they are written a prescription for something else and told to go to a specific chemist around the corner,” Wamatangi said, highlighting the extent of the problem.
He went on to urge healthcare workers to report any misconduct they might witness among their colleagues. “If there's a rogue individual among twenty honest ones, come forward and help us identify that person,” he added. “Even if it’s the in-charge of a facility, step forward and point them out so that we can deal with the issue and ensure the public receives honest healthcare.”
Governor Wamatangi’s comments underscore his administration’s commitment to rooting out corruption in the county’s healthcare sector. By calling on health workers to help expose wrongdoers, he hopes to restore public trust and ensure that residents receive the care they deserve without being exploited.
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