Nairobi Women Rep Esther Passaris on Monday announced that she has been admitted at the Agha Khan Hospital In Nairobi.
However, her big announcement sparked some controversies from some members of the public who accused her of failing to develop public hospitals only to seek medical care in a private hospital.
not to trivial what you are going through Honorable MP but when can Kenyans especially those from low – income families enjoy such facilities & such care from a government owned hospitals? when will endless strikes in health sector come to an end? quick recovery though
— juma brian (@jumabrian4) September 16, 2019
Her campaign promises came to haunt her as one Twitter user accused her of promising the best healthcare which he claims she has not fulfilled.
So MaMa Lucy Hospital is not your class…..@EstherPassaris yet during campaign you promised to make Nairobian women have access to best healthy care…..enyewe hii Kenya ni shamba la wanyama….where @EstherPassaris pretends to care
— Shamba La Wanyama (@myk_monda) September 16, 2019
Passaris defended herself on why she opted to seek medical attention at the private hospital. She stated that she can afford private medical care and going to a public hospital would be a publicity stunt.
Because I can afford private medical care. Public hospitals are part of a countries mandate to provide quality medical care at affordable rates. My taking a bed there will only be a publicity stunt, that would deny a needy Kenyan the much needed bed & care. I strive for#UHC https://t.co/5SZPsLSTfB
— Hon. Esther M Passaris (@EstherPassaris) September 16, 2019
She further stated her desire to have efficient and affordable medical care for all Kenyans.
Even before I became a legislator I had access to private hospital care as do many Kenyans. I long for the day that the choice between public or private would only be in the 'price' but not the 'value' of care. #UHC strives for affordable efficient medical care for all citizens. https://t.co/woS6MGbGPJ
— Hon. Esther M Passaris (@EstherPassaris) September 16, 2019
Passaris has had an underlying back condition for 20 years now. She is set to undergo a Medial Branch Block procedure which involves spinal surgery.
A medial branch nerve block is a procedure in which an anaesthetic is injected near small medial nerves connected to a specific facet joint. Several levels of the spine are then injected in one procedure.