Women giving birth at the hospital's maternity wing have threatened not to pay the maternity fees claiming that when President Kenyatta was sworn in last weekend he promised to abolish the fees.
The management has however insisted that those using its maternity facility will continue to pay the charge until a clear policy is issued on the matter.
Hospital Superintendent Dr John Murima said that it is wrong for the patients admitted at their maternity wards to misinterpret President Kenyatta's directive, and that there was no circular issued yet by the government abolishing the fees.
Speaking to the Nation , Dr Murima said that the hospital is still awaiting official communication from the government on the matter.
“The patients will still have to pay the normal maternity fees until we receive an official circular from the government abolishing the fees,” said the official.
A spot check by the Nation on Sunday at the hospital established that most of the mothers were upbeat that they will not be charged the maternity fee as promised by the Jubilee government.
“During his maiden speech President Kenyatta said his government will abolish the maternity fee and since it is now legitimately in authority , I am not going to pay the fee,” said a woman who had just delivered a bouncing baby boy.
Another woman cited cases in which the hospital detained women who don't have money to foot the maternity fees.
“The minimum charge for delivering in this government hospital is Sh5,000 but the charges can shoot to as much as Sh11,000 depending on complications at birth,” said another woman .
In his maiden speech Mr Kenyatta said his government will abolish the maternity fees within 100 days in the office.
Most of the mothers at the hospital expressed confidence that the new government will fulfill its promises to the citizens.
- Sunday Nation
