One of the hospitals facing probe into medical fraud, Jekim Hospital in Meru County, has been closed.
The hospital is one of the seven facilities that were linked to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) fraud where millions of shillings was stolen.
The others are; St Peter Orthopedic and Surgical Hospital in Kiambu, Afya Bora Hospital Annex in Mwea Kirinyaga, Joy Nursing and Maternity Hospital, in Kamukunji Nairobi, Afya Bora in Mwea, Jekim Hospital Nkubu Limited in Imenti South Meru, and Beirut Pharmacy and Medical Center and Amal Hospital Limited.
In the alleged scam, huge amounts of money were deducted from patients' NHIF covers with some losing as much as Sh300,000.
The closing of the medical facility follows Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha's directive that the said hospitals should transfer patients and have owners vacate premises to allow for smooth investigations.
"KMPDC should start investigation in all mentioned hospitals. Facilities are directed in 24 hours to evacuate their patients, and they will remain closed until investigations are concluded," said the CS.
Already, all NHIF branch managers in the affected areas have been suspended.
The Kenya Medical, Pharmacists and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and Pharmaceutical Board of Kenya has begun investigations into the matter.
They are expected to give a comprehensive report on the matter within 48 hours, which is Wednesday, June 21.
