Owners of private hospitals and clinics in Kisii town have been urged to lower their rates in order to deliver their services on equal grounds with their counterparts in the public sector.
A report released by the county government health department on Tuesday indicated that private clinics were overcharging their patients almost triple the amount charged in public hospitals.
Speaking in her office, Kisii County executive in charge of health Sarah Omache said the habit was equivalent to fraud that could be prosecuted in a court of law.
She urged owners to reduce the rates, in order to make their services affordable to all classes of humanity as a way of being socially responsible.
“It is quite unacceptable that malaria diagnosis is just Sh200 in public hospitals and the figure is shocking in private clinics (Sh800). This is fraud and a serious action should be taken to curb this practice,” she said.
“It will be fair if we live in a society that takes concerns of everyone irrespective of the background. I kindly ask them (private hospital owners) to reconsider their rates and at least be reasonable,” she said.
She, however, lauded private clinics for the role they play in the society given the exponential increase in population.
“I understand public hospitals alone cannot be able to serve everyone. I think the private ones are really helping us and that is why I urge them to reduce the high rates charged there,” Mrs Omache said.