Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised serious concerns over reports that some mothers are being detained in hospitals for allegedly failing to settle medical bills. Speaking out forcefully, Sifuna questioned the source of these charges, especially in light of Kenya’s Free Maternal Health Services program under the Safe Motherhood and Health Access (SHA) initiative.
“You are detaining mothers because of unpaid medical bills. Where are these bills coming from if SHA is working?” Sifuna asked, highlighting a potential lapse in the healthcare system.
The Senator’s comments underscore growing public frustration over healthcare practices that appear to penalize vulnerable citizens, particularly expectant mothers, despite government efforts to provide free or subsidized care.
Sifuna warned that such practices not only violate mothers’ rights but also undermine public trust in government programs designed to improve maternal and child health.
Health sector analysts note that while the SHA initiative aims to make maternal services accessible, lapses in implementation and mismanagement at facility level may lead to undue charges, as highlighted by Sifuna.
The Senator called for urgent reforms and accountability measures to ensure that no mother faces detention for medical bills, reinforcing the government’s commitment to safe and free maternal healthcare for all Kenyans.
