Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has issued a stern warning to county medical staff allegedly diverting patients from public hospitals to their private clinics, asserting that the county government will not tolerate their unethical practices.
Speaking during an impromptu visit to Chuka Level 5 Hospital to inspect operations and monitor doctors’ attendance, Governor Njuki expressed disappointment upon discovering that some medics scheduled to be on duty were absent.
The governor, who also chairs the Council of Governors Health Committee, accused certain health workers of exploiting county facilities to lure patients into their private practices under the pretext of drug shortages and unavailable laboratory services.
“Some medical personnel are unprofessionally using our hospitals to poach patients for private clinics, unjustly claiming a lack of medicine or lab services. This burdens patients with additional costs. Such health workers must choose between serving the county or themselves,” Njuki said.
He revealed that doctors receive a non-practising allowance as part of their salaries to ensure they dedicate their working hours fully to public service. However, he noted that many were spending only a fraction of their time in county hospitals while directing patients to their private clinics, leaving public facilities “almost ghost-like.”
Njuki specifically highlighted a group of doctors in Chuka Town who he claimed had registered a private facility and were using their positions in county hospitals to support its operations. He warned that such practices constitute a betrayal of public trust.
“You cannot use our hospitals as a platform for you to poach patients for your own economic selfish gains at the expense of our people who come to the public hospital because they believe in the public hospital. We are coming for you,” he charged
“No one has been forced to work here. It is a choice you must make. You either work for the people of Tharaka Nithi in our public hospitals, or you ship out and run your private clinic. But you cannot operate both,” the governor cautioned.
To curb the malpractice, Governor Njuki directed the County Health Department to issue a circular enforcing doctors’ presence at their designated workstations. He further instructed that disciplinary action, including terminations, transfers, and other sanctions, be taken against those found guilty of patient diversion.
He also announced plans to establish a confidential reporting system for patients to lodge complaints if they are referred by county doctors to private facilities.
“If a doctor refers you to their clinic, report it. We will not disclose your identity because that doctor is exploiting you. We are on the side of our patients, and no one should be forced to pay extra costs due to selfish practices,” he stated.
Governor Njuki reaffirmed that the county government, in line with Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) regulations, would ensure all medics adhere to their contractual obligations and professional ethics.
