Several patients at Nakuru Level 5 Hospital have refused to leave the hospital after they have been discharged.
The hospital superintendent Dr Joseph Mburu said most of the patients are reluctant to leave even after their medical bills are waived.
Dr Mburu said the patients after getting well prefer to stay in the hospital due to family issues or the environment where they live.
“It’s unfortunate this is happening. Occasionally they just malinger, but sometimes we get surprising stories such as people saying the environment here is more comfortable than where they live. They are either homeless and would rather be here than in a shelter or there are family issues at home,” said Dr Mburu as quoted by standardmedia.co.ke.
The facility is currently housing about 10 patients who have fully recovered but they will not leave because they cannot trace their families, relatives or friends.
“We have tried to trace their relatives and reach out to the community leaders and elders to help but nothing seems to work.”
“Every month, the hospital spends an average of Sh30,000 to keep a patient at the hospital,” added the superintendent.
90-year-old, Viena Khayema, a Rwandese national, is one of the patients who refused to leave the facility after he was admitted in November 2014 after he suffered pelvic born injuries when he slipped at his work station in Kericho.
He fully recovered and was discharged in November 2015 but he refused to leave the hospital.
“I came here for treatment with acute pelvic pain after falling, but this has now become my home,” said Khayema.