The move by Baringo County Referral Hospital to charge patients before using toilets has received a backlash from locals.
Patients intending to use the toilets are now forced to pay Kshs10 for the services.
Residents have rebuked the hospital’s move which was effected on Monday November 8, terming it as inhumane and reasonable.
Boniface Ruto, a resident from Kerio Valley said that he was turned away by an attendant for not providing the Kshs10 to relieve himself.
“This is a public hospital and the toilets have always been free. We are wondering why suddenly we are charged Kshs10 to use them, and worse still, vulnerable patients who have no money will be disadvantaged,” Ruto said.
Other residents took to social media to express their anger and dissatisfaction.
“This is unacceptable. The amount notwithstanding, a public toilet in a hospital cannot charge patients to use it. I am very sure there are cleaners on the hospital payroll, and in the first place, why do we have such a dilapidated structure for a toilet in a county referral hospital?” Charles Kipkulei said on facebook.
While Arap Ayabe wrote, “Enough is enough. We have endured a lot of suffering. How can a whole county referral hospital … have deplorable toilets and charge patients to use them? That is uncouth.”
Isaiah Biwott, a human rights activist in the region, said that the hospital was charging patients yet the toilets are in a poor state.
“Despite charging patients to use them, the toilets are still dilapidated and dirty, and what is the essence of doing so if not turning it into a cash cow? It is illegal to privatize services in a public facility yet there are people employed to clean the toilets. It seems some cartels are running the hospital and Governor Stanley Kiptis should take action immediately or else we go to the streets,” he stated
On the other hand, County medical director Salome Chelimo asked locals not to complain about the charges since the proceeds will ensure that the toilets are maintained.
“Many people who use the toilets are outsiders, including boda boda operators who wait for clients at the hospital gate, and you find that most of the time, there is a blockage in the toilets,” she said.
“At least when there is an attendant, it will be kept clean and the charges are used to buy tissue paper. Locals should avoid blowing things out of proportion because this is for their own good,” Chelimo added.
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