Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki Bans Medics From Referring Patients to Private Clinics
Tharaka Nithi Governor, Muthomi Njuki, has put his foot down on a practice he says has been draining patients financially and undermining trust in public healthcare. Njuki has officially banned doctors and other medical staff in the county from referring patients who seek treatment in public hospitals to their own private clinics.
Speaking during a visit to Chuka Level 5 Hospital, the governor revealed that several medics — including doctors, nurses, clinical officers, and even specialists — were abusing their positions. Instead of treating patients in government facilities, they would tell them there was no medicine or equipment available, and then redirect them to private hospitals and clinics they own.
Njuki condemned the habit, describing it as a betrayal of taxpayers who already pay for these health workers’ salaries. “We have found that the very people entrusted with saving lives, and who are on the government payroll, are turning public hospitals into hunting grounds for their private businesses. They claim there is no medicine here, yet the medicine and laboratories exist. Patients end up being charged twice, and this is unfair,” he said.
The governor explained that the scheme had become widespread, with some doctors barely spending time in government hospitals. According to him, many only serve in public facilities for about an eighth of their required time, while the rest of their hours are dedicated to their private clinics. This happens despite the fact that the government already pays them a non-practising allowance, which is meant to discourage them from engaging in private practice during official working hours. The allowance permits them to work in their clinics only during off-duty hours such as weekends and public holidays.
Njuki, who also serves as the chair of the Health Committee in the Council of Governors (COG), said the unethical practice has left patients overburdened. Not only are they forced to pay extra fees, but in some cases, they are also double-charged for services that should have been offered at the county hospitals. He further alleged that some health workers push patients to private clinics to inflate bills and maximise claims from the Social Health Authority (SHA).
To deal with the issue, Njuki directed the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of health to issue a circular warning all health workers about the consequences of abandoning duty. Doctors found missing from their stations during official hours will face disciplinary action.
The governor also encouraged patients to speak up whenever they are referred unnecessarily to private facilities by public doctors. He promised that such reports would remain anonymous to protect patients from intimidation. “Any patient who is told by the same doctor to leave the hospital and go to their private clinic should report back when they return. That way, we can take action. The challenge is that many patients are too afraid of the doctors. They shy away and fail to speak up when asked questions,” Njuki noted.
By issuing this warning, Njuki hopes to restore discipline within county health facilities and ensure that patients receive affordable treatment in public hospitals without being exploited for profit.
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