Esther Passaris Takes a Dig at 'Incompetent' Kenyan Surgeons

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has continued to defend her decision to seek medical treatment abroad instead of at a local hospital.

Passaris, who underwent successful spinal surgery at the Care Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) in Ahmedabad, India early last month, came under heavy criticism from a section of Kenyans online for seeking medication overseas.

They claimed that leaders like Passaris, who is a member of the National Assembly Health Committee, are not concerned with the bad state of public hospitals in Kenya because they can afford treatment abroad.

Through Twitter on Wednesday, Passaris accused Kenyan surgeons of “taking their patients for granted,” which she said is the reason why she flew abroad for the operation. 

She says a close friend who was suffering from a condition similar to hers got crippled after being operated by a Kenyan surgeon “perceived to be the best.” Passaris says her friend was forced to go to India for corrective surgery.

“… My girlfriend with the same condition was operated at a hospital here, with a surgeon perceived to be the best, and she ended up crippled due to nerve damage,” wrote Passaris.

“She had to go to India for corrective surgery. We have surgeons who take their patients for granted.” 

Before her surgery in India, Passaris said she had undergone several procedures in the country to get rid of severe back pains dating back to 20 years ago when she gave birth.