Grace Njoki Mulei, a retired nurse, has come forward to share her frustration and disappointment after her recent arrest for causing a disturbance at the SHA offices. The 63-year-old, who has been struggling with knee problems, revealed that she had reached a breaking point due to delays and inefficiencies in the healthcare system.
According to Mulei, she had sought medical assistance at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where she and other patients were informed that the systems were down. This left them feeling helpless and uncertain about their treatment. “We were told the systems were down, and at that moment, we all felt powerless. Some of us have been in pain for weeks, yet there seemed to be no urgency in fixing the issue,” she explained.
Her frustrations boiled over when she visited the SHA offices to follow up on her medical approval. Mulei, who had previously used SHA services without issues, was dismayed by the lack of clear communication and support for patients in need of urgent medical attention. In an emotional plea, she demanded answers, leading to her arrest for allegedly causing a disturbance.
“I know it is not over until we get it right, and I have hope,” she stated after her release. She emphasized that her actions were not driven by personal grudges against the government but by a genuine desire to see improvements in healthcare services. “I do not have a personal vendetta against the government. I have used SHA before, and it has been working. It has approved my operation, but I was just asking the government to face the gaps,” she added.
Since the incident, Mulei has spoken about the emotional toll it has taken on her, revealing that she now experiences anxiety and panic attacks. “I never imagined that standing up for my rights as a patient would lead to this. It has been a difficult experience, but I will not stop speaking out,” she said.
Her case has sparked conversations about the challenges patients face in accessing timely medical care. Many have sympathized with her situation, urging the government to address systemic failures that continue to hinder efficient healthcare delivery.
Despite the ordeal, Mulei remains hopeful that her experience will lead to meaningful reforms. “All I wanted was for the government to address these issues. No patient should feel helpless when seeking medical care,” she concluded.
By Newshub