Kenya Hospital Admits To Beating And Imprisoning New Mothers Without Money

Kenya Hospital Admits To Beating And Imprisoning New Mothers Without Money

A hospital in Kenya is under fire after admitting that they frequently hold new mothers who are unable to pay their medical bills hostage until payment is received.

via The Grio

The director of the Pumwani Maternity Hospital, located in a hardscrabble neighborhood of downtown Nairobi, freely acknowledges what he’s accused of: detaining mothers who can’t pay their bills. Lazarus Omondi says it’s the only way he can keep his medical center running.

Two mothers who live in a mud-wall and tin-roof slum a short walk from the maternity hospital, which is affiliated with the Nairobi City Council, told The Associated Press that Pumwani wouldn’t let them leave after delivering their babies.

The bills the mothers couldn’t afford were $60 and $160. Guards would beat mothers with sticks who tried to leave without paying, one of the women said.

How can you proudly admit that the majority of your cashflow as hospital comes from holding women and newborn babies hostage? SMH.

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