Nakuru PGH Denies Neglect Claims, Says Viral Photos Show Caregivers, Not Patients
Management said the hospital remains committed to providing compassionate and timely care, and repeated that no patient under its care has been neglected or left unattended.
By Elijah Cherutich
Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital has denied online claims of patient neglect, saying photos showing people sleeping on benches in the facility’s waiting areas are of relatives and caregivers, not admitted patients.
In a press statement, the hospital said every admitted patient is assigned a bed and receives round-the-clock care from doctors, nurses and support staff.
“No patient admitted to Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital is left unattended on a bench,” the statement said, adding that patient safety, dignity and quality care remain central to its services.
The hospital said the waiting bays shown in the photos are designated for family members during visiting hours or while they wait for consultations and other services. It added that visiting hours are enforced to protect patient privacy, help prevent infections and give healthcare workers the space they need to do their jobs. For that reason, caregivers are not allowed to stay inside the wards.
Officials acknowledged that some relatives remain within the hospital compound after visiting hours, often because they have travelled long distances, are struggling financially or want to stay close to sick loved ones. The hospital said it understands those circumstances, but maintained that the benches are intended for short-term waiting, not overnight stays.
The statement also listed steps the hospital says it is taking to support affected families, including improving communication with relatives, upgrading security and lighting in waiting areas, and working with the County Departments of Health and Social Services to connect vulnerable families with available support. It added that the Social Work Department is available to offer counselling and referrals where needed.
Management also raised concerns about what it described as misinformation targeting public health facilities. It accused unnamed bloggers of spreading misleading claims with the backing of politicians seeking to benefit from the controversy.
“Healthcare institutions exist to save lives, not to serve political agendas,” the statement said, adding that patients’ conditions should not be exploited for political gain or sensationalized in ways that mislead the public.
The hospital urged the public, bloggers and journalists to verify information before publishing or sharing it, saying misinformation damages public trust and unfairly discredits healthcare workers who serve “tirelessly every day and night.”
Management said the hospital remains committed to providing compassionate and timely care, and repeated that no patient under its care has been neglected or left unattended.
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