I Won’t Apologize for Seeking Treatment Abroad, Esther Passaris Tells Twitter User

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris on Sunday morning clapped back at a Twitter user who criticized Kenyan leaders for seeking medical treatment abroad.

While commenting on one of Ms. Passaris’ tweets, Twitter user @ombchae1 lamented how he had lost two relatives to cancer in a span of one month, saying the family could not afford treatment in private hospitals and could not take their patients to public hospitals because they lack the required facilities. 

"It is difficult to figure out. Within a span of 1 month I have [lost] 2 of my family members due to Cancer. We could not raise the cost of chemotherapy in these private hospitals since public hospitals have no facilities but our leaders are busy enjoy the world-class treatment abroad," wrote @ombchae1.

Passaris, who is currently in India after undergoing spinal surgery early this month, responded to @ombchae1 by saying she has no apologies for seeking medication abroad. She stated that she could afford treatment out of the country before she was elected.

"I won't apologize for seeking medical treatment abroad. I could afford it before I was elected & I will afford it after I leave office by the Grace of God. I know we need to do more for cancer/ terminal illnesses/ spinal etc. I assure you Health Committee will deliver," Passaris stated.

Two weeks ago, Passaris, who is a member of the Parliament Health Committee, faced similar criticism from a section of Kenyans online after she announced through Twitter that she had undergone an operation in India.