K.O.T hitS out at Coronavirus profiteers as hospitals allegedly cash in on COVID-19 testing

The Coronavirus pandemic has not only affected nations abroad, but has had adverse effects on the lives of thousands in Kenya.

With more than 320 confirmed cases locally out of 3M cases cases recorded worldwide, Kenya’s under prepared healthcare system has received some help in dealing with the pandemic. Happy helpers in the name of donors have offered million of dollars to help contain the spread of novel virus nationally, however it seems that the funds are barely trickling down to those who need it most.

According to recent reports online, recovered patients at the Kenyatta University Hospital have been denied release from the facility due to outstanding medical bills associated with treating COVID-19. Naturally, as news of this spread across the Twitterverse, KOT was outraged and keen to share their two cents on the matter.

A video went viral, days after news surfaced that others escaped quarantine facilities. The viral video captured a patient who was obviously frustrated, threatening to commit suicide, highlighting they are not able to pay the medical bills which some estimated could reach over 80,000Ksh.

Outraged @NjorogeKariuki8 said, “Why should the government detain those who are through with quarantine 14+ days and yet they have tested negative,till when will they be detained and most of them don’t have the amount required to cater for quarantine? We now understand why some run..” @MissyCaroline3 questioned the healthcare facility and its management. She said, “How do you keep detaining people who are negative… Hii tamaa ya pesa hii Kenya.. May God heal those that are sick and protect every Kenyan in and out of quarantine facilities.”

Another user @DaktariGatero added that the detainment of recovered patients is nonsensical.

Moreover, a premier health facility Nairobi Hospital is also under fire, as it became known that COVID-19 testing in the facility costs 10,000Ksh. The most shocking part of the high cost of testing, is that it is completely out of reach for more Kenyans due to its cost.

“In Kenya, 56% of the population lives in low income and are below poverty line”, according health reports as ” monthly income by the low income…households were respectively KES 14001 to 56000.”

The expensive testing kit comes as Senegal is currently working towards developing a Coronavirus testing kit that should cost just Ksh100, making it accessible to a large percentage of its West African nation’s population.

And President Kenyatta has been on the receiving end of harsh criticism, as the leader as well as other government officials have been deemed out of touch with the common mwananchi facing difficult times during this pandemic. Instead of encouraging local solutions for the novel virus, working with local varsities who are developing ventilators and Personal Protective Equipment, Pres. Kenyatta has focused on other matters.

Sadly, it seems the health sector is more focused on raking in the cash. Rather than following through with their calling to help patients in need, they seem to be determined to profit from disease.