A serious accusation of medical negligence and unethical practices has emerged against St. Francis Community Hospital in Kasarani.
The situation started with a patient brought in after a severe motorbike accident.
According to the account, the patient had a severe head injury and was unconscious.
Despite the critical nature of the emergency, hospital staff reportedly refused to provide first aid until upfront payment was made, demanding the patient’s family stand in line and settle the bill before any treatment could be administered.
It took 30 minutes to complete the payment process, during which time no medical attention was offered.
A Ksh 2,000 admission fee and Ksh 8,430 for a CT scan were paid before the patient received any initial care.
Once the payment was settled, the hospital staff dressed the wound and conducted the CT scan.
However, the delay in treatment raised serious concerns about the hospital’s priorities, particularly in emergencies.
This raises ethical questions about whether a hospital should prioritize money over the immediate health needs of patients.
After the scan, the patient regained consciousness around 5 a.m., and it was indicated that they would see a surgeon.
However, the surgeon did not arrive until the following day, leaving the patient in limbo.
When the surgeon eventually reviewed the case, he discharged the patient, declaring the situation stable despite the severity of the initial injuries.
This decision left the family concerned about the quality of care provided.
The most concerning part of the story emerged when the family sought a second opinion at Uhai Neema Hospital.
It was discovered that St. Francis had only covered the wound without properly stitching it, leaving sand inside the injury.
This lack of proper wound care not only endangered the patient’s health but also revealed gross negligence on the part of St. Francis Hospital.
Uhai Neema staff had to clean and stitch the wound afresh, a procedure that should have been done initially.
Further complicating the situation was the hospital’s refusal to issue a referral letter for the patient to seek treatment elsewhere.
As the patient’s condition worsened, especially with the inability to control their mouth, the family attempted to access neurosurgical care at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), only to be told that a neurosurgeon would not be available until Tuesday.
This story highlights a troubling pattern of behavior at St. Francis Community Hospital.
The institution has faced previous allegations of overcharging patients and denying them access to their medical records.
The hospital has also been accused of inflating medical bills and not providing breakdowns of costs to patients.
This has led to legal challenges, including a court order compelling the hospital to release medical records that were being withheld from patients and their families.
These incidents raise important questions about the state of private healthcare in Kenya.
The combination of delayed care, overcharging, and medical negligence puts patient safety at serious risk.
Such practices highlight the need for greater oversight of private hospitals to ensure that they adhere to ethical medical standards and prioritize patient care over financial gain.
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