The musician, famous for songs like The 11th Hour, died on Monday, November 10, after a battle with acute blood cancer.
Following her passing, social media was filled with claims that AAR Hospital refused to admit her into the ICU because she did not have a KSh 260,000 deposit.
As the rumours spread, the hospital found itself under heavy criticism. On Thursday, November 13, AAR issued a detailed statement responding to the allegations and clarifying what happened during Bayo’s last moments under their care.
In their statement, the hospital began by expressing sympathy to the family, friends, and fans of the late singer. They acknowledged that the public was anxious and emotional due to the nature of the claims circulating online.
However, the hospital said the allegations were false and portrayed events in a misleading way. According to the management, the singer was not denied treatment, nor was she abandoned because of a financial demand.
“AAR Hospital has noted various reports circulating on social media regarding the recent passing of a prominent Kenyan personality. While we understand the public’s concern, many of these claims are inaccurate and misleading,” the hospital said.
AAR explained that Betty Bayo had been admitted to their facility earlier in the month. During her stay, she received critical attention and emergency medical care for her condition.
The hospital reported that once her condition stabilised and doctors completed an initial assessment, Bayo and her family made the decision to transfer her to another hospital for further treatment. AAR emphasised that the transfer was not due to the hospital refusing care, but was a choice made by the patient and her family.
“After her initial stabilisation and medical assessment, the patient and her family later opted to transfer her to another medical facility for further specialised treatment,” AAR said.
The hospital did not provide additional details about Bayo’s diagnosis or treatment plan, saying that doing so would violate medical confidentiality.
The claims against AAR grew after a social media user alleged that the singer was refused ICU admission because she did not have a KSh 260,000 deposit. The same user suggested that the delay in admitting her to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) contributed to her death, saying she waited for hours while her condition worsened.
The post, which quickly went viral, caused uproar among Kenyans who felt the country’s private healthcare system often prioritises money over saving lives. Some argued that if a well-known musician could be denied urgent care, ordinary Kenyans might be facing even worse situations.
However, AAR dismissed the claims as misinformation and maintained that Bayo was not denied ICU care. They insisted that all patients are handled according to medical urgency, not financial status.
Hospital Defends Its Standards
In the statement, AAR also defended its professionalism and commitment to quality care. They said their staff followed the required emergency procedures and acted according to medical ethics.
“Out of respect for the patient’s confidentiality, we are unable to share personal or clinical details. We assure the public that AAR Hospital remains committed to the highest standards of patient care, professionalism and transparency,” the statement read.
The hospital urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information, especially in sensitive situations involving grief and families in mourning.
Medical reports confirmed that the singer died from acute leukaemia, a type of blood cancer that develops very quickly. The disease affects the bone marrow, causing the body to produce abnormal white blood cells.
These cells do not function well and crowd out normal blood cells, making it difficult for the body to fight infections or stop internal bleeding. Leukaemia can worsen extremely fast, and many patients require immediate, highly specialised treatment to manage the symptoms.
Because of the complexity and rapid progression of the disease, doctors often recommend referral to facilities with specialised cancer, blood treatment, or critical care capacity.
Bayo, a mother of two, was a respected figure in the Kenyan gospel industry. Her death at a relatively young age has shocked many and opened a national conversation about the challenges patients face in accessing emergency care.
As the rumours spread, the hospital found itself under heavy criticism. On Thursday, November 13, AAR issued a detailed statement responding to the allegations and clarifying what happened during Bayo’s last moments under their care.
In their statement, the hospital began by expressing sympathy to the family, friends, and fans of the late singer. They acknowledged that the public was anxious and emotional due to the nature of the claims circulating online.
However, the hospital said the allegations were false and portrayed events in a misleading way. According to the management, the singer was not denied treatment, nor was she abandoned because of a financial demand.
“AAR Hospital has noted various reports circulating on social media regarding the recent passing of a prominent Kenyan personality. While we understand the public’s concern, many of these claims are inaccurate and misleading,” the hospital said.
AAR explained that Betty Bayo had been admitted to their facility earlier in the month. During her stay, she received critical attention and emergency medical care for her condition.
The hospital reported that once her condition stabilised and doctors completed an initial assessment, Bayo and her family made the decision to transfer her to another hospital for further treatment. AAR emphasised that the transfer was not due to the hospital refusing care, but was a choice made by the patient and her family.
“After her initial stabilisation and medical assessment, the patient and her family later opted to transfer her to another medical facility for further specialised treatment,” AAR said.
The hospital did not provide additional details about Bayo’s diagnosis or treatment plan, saying that doing so would violate medical confidentiality.
The claims against AAR grew after a social media user alleged that the singer was refused ICU admission because she did not have a KSh 260,000 deposit. The same user suggested that the delay in admitting her to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) contributed to her death, saying she waited for hours while her condition worsened.
The post, which quickly went viral, caused uproar among Kenyans who felt the country’s private healthcare system often prioritises money over saving lives. Some argued that if a well-known musician could be denied urgent care, ordinary Kenyans might be facing even worse situations.
However, AAR dismissed the claims as misinformation and maintained that Bayo was not denied ICU care. They insisted that all patients are handled according to medical urgency, not financial status.
Hospital Defends Its Standards
In the statement, AAR also defended its professionalism and commitment to quality care. They said their staff followed the required emergency procedures and acted according to medical ethics.
“Out of respect for the patient’s confidentiality, we are unable to share personal or clinical details. We assure the public that AAR Hospital remains committed to the highest standards of patient care, professionalism and transparency,” the statement read.
The hospital urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information, especially in sensitive situations involving grief and families in mourning.
Medical reports confirmed that the singer died from acute leukaemia, a type of blood cancer that develops very quickly. The disease affects the bone marrow, causing the body to produce abnormal white blood cells.
These cells do not function well and crowd out normal blood cells, making it difficult for the body to fight infections or stop internal bleeding. Leukaemia can worsen extremely fast, and many patients require immediate, highly specialised treatment to manage the symptoms.
Because of the complexity and rapid progression of the disease, doctors often recommend referral to facilities with specialised cancer, blood treatment, or critical care capacity.
Bayo, a mother of two, was a respected figure in the Kenyan gospel industry. Her death at a relatively young age has shocked many and opened a national conversation about the challenges patients face in accessing emergency care.
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