As We Get Angry About MP Shah Hospital, We Are to Blame for the Rogue System

Kenyans took to the social media to express their anger toward MP Shah Hospital. This was after the hospital slapped the family of a patient who had succumbed to injuries, 12 hours after being admitted to the facility, with a bill of 858,355 shillings.

Kenyans have a habit of getting ‘very angry’ whenever an issue pops up, the anger that often dies out as soon as something else pops up.

According to most Kenya, in their fury, the amount charged by MP Shah for a patient who had been at the hospital for just 12 hours is exorbitant.

The deceased, Matilda Anyango, was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed by thugs in Kangemi Slums, Nairobi, on the night of April 11 but she succumbed 12 hours later.

But who is to blame for the actions taken by MP Shah Hospital? Should we blame the hospital, the government or Kenyans? Of course, the hospital has ‘justified’ why it charged that amount but I think, as Kenyans, we are to blame for this kind of thing.

Why do I think that we are to blame for the pathetic health system in the country? Look at the leadership we have. Look at the massive looting that is happening in our healthcare system. They are looting resources as though there is no tomorrow. The health system is in the intensive care unit and only the rich can survive by going to the expensive private institutions such as MP Shah. Why are we blaming MP Shah? The hospital is just copying the system that we voted into office; stealing from the poor.

Look at the looting that is going on at NSSF. The money of the poor is being looted left, right and center. What are we doing about it? We are silent and when the time will come, we shall elect the same thieves into the same offices.

Look at the looting at NHIF. How long has the thieving been going on? Whose money is being looted? It is our money, the money of the poor hardworking Kenyan. What have we done about it? Nothing. All we do is explode when a scandal comes up and cool down within the shortest time possible. Most of those complaining on Twitter about MP Shah, are the same people who use the same Twitter to sanctify the thieves at the NHIF.

Look at the mismanagement at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Cases of wrong diagnosis and wrong patients being operated on are rampant. What have we done about it? We go online, become ‘angry enough’ and then forget about it. We even defend those harboring the rot just because they come from our tribe. When we say demand for better services and sound leadership, you put your tribes first, then when it hits you, you rush online to complain. Really?

I think we should suffer. We should continue rushing to MP Shah, be slapped with imaginary bills. We should continue going to KNH, be amputated a leg for a headache. We should suffer until we say ‘enough is enough!’ It is sad that victims of accidents, crime, and other injuries have no access to better and urgent healthcare. They should have a healthcare that is affordable across all sectors but we are all set up. We are made to think like robots that there is the ‘health’ of the rich and that of the poor.

I agree that MP Shah charged a ‘crazy’ amount for the patient. Even a 5-star hotel cannot charge such atrocious amounts for beds for just 10 hours. But what should we do? We should change the way we think, the way we make decisions and the way we vote.

You have been angry. The politicians have heard you. They will call the media, clear the bill, get free coverage and be seen as ‘good people.’ We shall then take to Twitter to praise them. Then what? Then what is ask?