Nairobi Women's Hospital issued a response on Monday, June 26, refuting allegations of extorting investors and detaining patients at its facilities. The hospital aimed to restore its reputation and emphasized its commitment to patient care and adherence to legal rulings.
In a press release, the hospital stated that it strictly adheres to policies that prohibit the detention of patients, aligning with a High Court ruling that condemned such practices. They asserted, "The Nairobi Women's Hospital does not detain patients for any reason at any of our hospitals as alleged. We have fully complied with the ruling by the High Court of Kenya, Constitutional and Human Rights Division - Petition No. 242 of 2018 and have aligned our policies and practices."
The hospital also addressed a report aired on Citizen TV, which claimed that the facility extorted investors who were supposed to provide funding for subsidized treatment expenses. Nairobi Women's Hospital denied ever receiving any grants or funds from the alleged investors, emphasizing that it aims to provide quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare to the lower and middle class.
Regarding ownership, the hospital clarified that it had partnered with various investors who hold shares in the facility, with the government's approval of all investors involved.
The Nairobi Women's Hospital assured its patients and stakeholders of its commitment to delivering quality healthcare services. The statement concluded, "The Nairobi Women's Hospital remains committed to providing quality, accessible and affordable healthcare and sincerely regrets any distress that these unfortunate allegations may have caused to our patients, their families, the public, and all other stakeholders."
In recent developments, Oxfam International, an NGO advocating for an end to poverty, listed Nairobi Women's Hospital among private hospital chains accused of failing to subsidize the cost of health services despite receiving funding from development finance institutions.
Furthermore, Nairobi Governor, Senator Sakaja, initiated a crackdown on city hospitals accused of violating human rights. In April 2023, the entire board of Mama Lucy Hospital was purged following reports of negligence leading to the loss of an unborn baby. Sakaja also implemented a management reshuffle at Pumwani Hospital to enhance the quality of services for expectant mothers. These actions were taken as part of the efforts to revitalize healthcare in public hospitals, as emphasized by Sakaja.