Only 1,500 private clinics in Nairobi County have the permits to offer medical services, a report shows. The report by the county Public health department reveals that there are 2,315 private clinics. 800 or 34 percent of which are open and offering services to residents illegally.
Ms. Jesa Omai, the Nairobi clinical inspection coordinator made the revelations before the assembly’s hearing services committee last week.
After a mapping programme carried out in August last year, the department found out that Nairobi has a total of 2,315 private clinics out of which only 1,500 have received inspection certificates.
Ms. Omai explained that for a clinic to be opened in any part of Nairobi an inspection must be carried out by county officers. She told the committee that the department will close down the unlicensed health facilities and increase random inspections and supervision of facilities at all levels.
She said they receive a compliance officer from the medical board to enhance checks
Analysts say that the reason why such illegal private facilities are mushrooming is because health care across Africa is becoming expensive for most people.
Because of this, patients have become exposed to managers of such private facilities who operate without appropriate documentation.
Just this month the story of Mugo Wairimu a ‘fake doctor’ operating an illegal clinic hit the headlines. The story originated from an investigative piece by a local TV station.
There have been reports of key hospitals across Africa which are said to be detaining patients who were not able to clear their medical fees.
According to AP reports, these hospitals are reportedly operating a policy of “if you don’t pay up, you don’t go home.
For instance in Kenyatta hospital, it is quite normal for a patient to detain patients unable to clear their medical bills.
There are worries that such policies open up opportunities for patients to seek out private facilities.
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