Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi waived hospital bills for sixty patients at Thika Level 5 hospital totalling over Sh4 million on Tuesday.
The Governor issued an executive order directing the hospital to discharge the patients, some who had been admitted for more than six months.
24 patients were discharged on Tuesday afternoon while the remaining awaited their release as the hospital management finalised logistics and assessment of all eligible cases.
Thika Municipal Board Manager Gathii Kanyi said patients who are detained in health facilities significantly contribute to the congestion, particularly at Thika Level 5 Hospital, which serves several counties.
He was speaking during the discharge of the first group of beneficiaries of the waiver.
“While it is widely recognised that government hospitals operate as non-profit entities, they still face significant expenses in treating patients, it is anticipated that patients reimburse these costs after receiving care,” Kanyi said.
“I strongly encourage the beneficiaries of the waiver to register with the new Social Health Authority (SHA) and participate in the Kiambu Afya Health Plan, known as Wamatangi Care. This will provide improved medical coverage financed by the county government, helping to ensure they can avoid unnecessary medical expenses in the future,” he added.
He said the new scheme was comprehensive and would alleviate the financial burden of healthcare costs on families as it had been implemented in Level 2, 3, 4, and 5 hospitals.
It will also ensure patients receive the necessary care without being denied treatment due to financial constraints.
Wanjiru Mwangi a recipient of the waiver said she had been held at the hospital for four months after giving birth due to her inability to pay the medical bills.
“I found myself in a difficult situation after giving birth. I had planned for a natural delivery, but complications forced me to have a caesarean section, which I hadn't prepared for financially. I'm thankful to the governor for his generosity in letting me return home to be with my family,” Wanjiru said.
Governor Wamatangi said his administration is dedicated to enhancing medical services in the county, with a focus on easing the financial strain of medical bills on patients and their families during these challenging economic times.
