Doctor Who Saved Lives Denied Treatment at KNH, Dies After Delayed Medical Attention

Dr. Daniel Ndege Chacha, a dedicated obstetrician and gynecology trainee at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), has tragically passed away after being denied urgent medical treatment due to a lack of medical cover. The 37-year-old doctor, who was training at the University of Nairobi’s KNH Campus, was reportedly turned away from the same hospital where he had spent years saving lives.

Denied Treatment at KNH

Dr. Chacha fell ill two weeks ago and sought medical care at KNH, only to be refused treatment for not having an active medical cover. Surviving on locum work to sustain his family while making remittances to the Social Health Authority (SHA), he had no formal salary to afford private healthcare.

Dr. Dennis Miskellah, Deputy Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), stated that Dr. Chacha was mismanaged at a local hospital before finally being referred to KNH. By the time he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), his condition had worsened, leading to acute liver injury and kidney failure. Despite a week of treatment in the ICU, he succumbed to his condition on March 17.

Family Left With Overwhelming Bill

Following his death, his family has been left grappling with a hospital bill of KSh 300,000. SHA has reportedly agreed to cover only KSh 30,000, leaving the grieving family with a significant financial burden. To make matters worse, KNH has refused to waive the bill and has detained his body until full payment is made.

“Despite dedicating his time and expertise to saving lives at KNH, Dr. Chacha was left to fend for himself when he needed care the most,” lamented Dr. Miskellah.

KNH Defends Its Position

A senior KNH official, speaking on condition of anonymity, defended the hospital, stating that Dr. Chacha was not an employee of KNH but rather a resident doctor and a Master’s student at the University of Nairobi (UoN). According to the official, it was the university’s responsibility to provide him with medical cover, not KNH.

Medical Trainees in a Vulnerable Position

The tragedy has ignited fresh debate on the welfare of postgraduate medical trainees, who provide essential hospital services without being formally recognized as employees or receiving adequate benefits. Dr. Miskellah criticized the current memorandum of understanding between UoN and KNH, highlighting its failure to ensure medical trainees have medical insurance coverage.

“KNH does not recognize medical trainees as employees. They work tirelessly, offering services for free, yet when they fall sick, they have no medical cover. It is heartbreaking and unacceptable,” he stated.

Doctors Protest and Issue Strike Notice

Following Dr. Chacha’s death, doctors took to the streets, demanding immediate remittance of their Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) contributions and protesting against a proposed salary cut for medical interns from KSh 70,000 to KSh 40,000.

KMPDU Secretary-General Dr. Davji Atellah criticized the government for deducting healthcare contributions but failing to remit them, leaving doctors without medical coverage. He revealed that over 30 counties have not remitted their SHA deductions, making it impossible for many healthcare workers to access treatment.

“We have doctors detained in hospitals because they cannot pay their medical bills. Doctors work faithfully, yet when they fall ill, they cannot access care. This must stop,” Dr. Atellah declared.

The doctors have issued a strike notice, warning that if the situation is not resolved, they will withdraw their services nationwide on May 9.

Call for Urgent Reforms

The union is calling for urgent reforms in medical training and employment, demanding that postgraduate trainees be paid and provided with comprehensive medical insurance.

Dr. Atellah urged Parliament to intervene by ensuring that all healthcare workers receive express comprehensive health insurance coverage and that salary deductions result in actual benefits.

“We pray the Parliament recommends the provision of express comprehensive health insurance coverage and access to health services for all medical personnel, civil servants, public servants, and county workers. There should also be a four-month moratorium on late premium payments by employers,” he stated.

KNH CEO Evans Kamuri has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Dr. Chacha’s case.

A System in Crisis

Dr. Chacha’s tragic death underscores the urgent need for reforms in Kenya’s healthcare system. If frontline healthcare workers cannot access medical treatment, what hope remains for ordinary citizens? As the doctors’ strike looms, the government must act swiftly to address the crisis and ensure that those who dedicate their lives to saving others are not left to suffer in neglect.

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Doctor Who Saved Lives Denied Treatment at KNH, Dies After Delayed Medical Attention