AAR Hospital has rubbished as “inaccurate and misleading” the claims that it refused to admit late gospel musician Betty Bayo for failing to make a deposit.
The claims followed remarks by Shiru wa GP (Mary Wanjiru), a fellow musician and Betty’s close friend, who narrated about the last moments of the latter, whose real name is Beatrice Mbugua.
Speaking to the Nation on Tuesday, Shiru said Betty managed to walk to her car despite the feebleness she was experiencing.
“Amidst the pain and discomfort, Betty walked herself downstairs, got her car keys, opened the main door and went to her car. That’s where she hooted loudly, waking up her neighbours,” Shiru said.
One of the neighbours rushed to her aid and drove her to AAR Hospital on Kiambu Road, where, according to Shiru, the medical staff declined to admit her until a deposit of Sh260,000 was made.
“They said they couldn’t start treatment until the deposit was made. When I woke up, I paid the money through M-Pesa and then rushed to the hospital and met with other gospel musicians who were our mutual friends with Betty,” she added.
In a widely circulated video, Shiru said: “After I paid, I reached there and found that they had been let in. That is when I noticed that Betty wasn’t okay.”
Critics say that for a woman who was feeble and needed a blood transfusion, the reluctance in admitting her ran afoul of Article 43(2) of the Constitution, which says: “A person shall not be denied emergency medical treatment.”
However, in a statement issued on Thursday, the hospital said the allegations are unfounded.
“While we appreciate the public’s concern, we wish to emphasise that many of these reports are inaccurate and misleading,” said the statement issued by the hospital’s management.
“AAR Hospital wishes to clarify that the deceased was admitted to our facility for two days, during which she received emergency and critical care and her diagnosis was confirmed. After her initial stabilisation and medical assessment, the patient and her family later opted to transfer her to another medical facility for further specialised treatment,” it added.
Shiru said that the treatment bill was rising fast, and at some point spiking by Sh200,000 in two hours. The “11th Hour” singer was subsequently transferred to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Shiru said that by the time Betty was being transferred, she could not talk. When friends took her two children to her, she saw them and broke into tears.
In the widely shared video, Shiru added that at this stage, Betty “could not be treated”.
“The cancer had spread too deep. It was too late,” she said.
In its statement, AAR said it could not share personal or clinical details of Betty’s matter “out of respect for the patient’s confidentiality and in line with medical ethics”.
“We assure the public that AAR Hospital remains committed to the highest standards of patient care, professionalism and transparency,” the facility said.
“The management and staff of AAR Hospital deeply regret her passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and fans during this difficult time. We share in their sorrow and respectfully honour her memory,” it added.
Betty died on Monday after a battle with acute myeloid leukaemia. She will be laid to rest on November 20, at Mugumo Estate on Kiambu Road.
A memorial service will also take place at Christian Foundation Fellowship (CFF) Church, along Kiambu Road, on Sunday, November 16.
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