MPs Back Health Bill to Ban Upfront Emergency Fees and Hospital Detentions
The Kenyan National Assembly has approved a bill to prohibit hospitals from demanding upfront emergency fees or detaining the bodies of deceased patients over unpaid bills. The legislation aims to protect vulnerable families and ensure access to urgent medical care.
Why it matters
This legislative move addresses significant human rights and ethical concerns regarding the intersection of healthcare access and financial insolvency in Kenya.
Parliament building and an insert of a team of doctors at the Kenya University of Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital performing surgery in February 2023. Photo Parliament of Kenya/KUTRRH --> Kenyans could soon receive emergency medical treatment in hospitals without being required to pay first, after Members of the National Assembly approved a Bill seeking to prohibit healthcare facilities from demanding upfront payments before attending to patients.
The National Assembly approved the Health (Amendment) Bill, 2024, during its third reading on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, paving the way for proposed changes to the Health Act.
The legislation, sponsored by Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina, seeks to guarantee access to emergency medical services regardless of a patient's ability to pay for treatment immediately.
Under the proposed amendments, public healthcare facilities that demand payment before providing emergency treatment would face a fine of up to Ksh3 million.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in