James Kanyoru, a 76-year-old man, faced a distressing situation when he arrived at a Nakuru hospital for his scheduled dialysis treatment.
Hospital staff turned him away after demanding an unexpected payment of KSh 8,500. Despite being up to date with his National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) contributions, Kanyoru could not afford the treatment.
Overwhelmed by the cost, he tearfully expressed his despair, prompting an outpouring of support from Kenyans who witnessed his plight.
Kanyoru’s Distressing Experience
In a widely circulated video clip, Kanyoru described his ordeal.
They told me to go tell my people to give me money, and I don’t have any way of getting the KSh 8,500, I am now sick, and blood is not flowing in my body
James Kanyoru
His situation resonated deeply with many viewers. Fellow patients like Florence Nyadieka experienced similar challenges at the same hospital.
Impact of Healthcare Policy Changes
The recent transition from NHIF to the Social Hospital Insurance Fund (SHIF) under the Social Hospital Authority (SHA) has caused significant confusion and disruption in healthcare access for many Kenyans.
While SHIF aims to improve efficiency and tackle corruption within the healthcare system, its implementation has faced numerous challenges.
Patients must now use their national identity cards instead of NHIF cards to access services, complicating timely treatments like dialysis.
Community Support for Kanyoru
In response to Kanyoru’s distressing situation, Kenyans have rallied to support him. Comedian Blessed Njugush shared his outrage on social media, questioning how many others face similar hardships due to abrupt policy changes. He remarked,
Imagine this: you are up to date with your parent’s NHIF card payment. Then the government decides to transition to SHA and hasn’t settled NHIF debt with private hospitals
Comedian Njugush
Njugush emphasized the urgency for change in the healthcare system.
Supporters have begun sending money to Kanyoru through mobile payments.
His MPESA number has circulated online as the community shows determination to assist those in need during these challenging times. His Mobile number is 0726 273345.
