Ministry begins probe into expectant woman ‘left to die’ at Kakamega Level 5 Hospital

Kakamega, Kenya: The Health ministry has launched an investigation into a case in which an expectant woman was allegedly left to die by health workers in Kakamega Level 5 Hospital.

Director of Medical Services Nicholas Muraguri said yesterday he has constituted a team of experts from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board to verify the allegations of neglect that might have led to Elizabeth Akala's death.

"The team will interview the relatives of the deceased, hospital management and all health workers who interacted with the patient as well as her medical records to establish the cause of her death," he said.

He added: "The investigation team will submit the report to my office within 48 hours. Any administrative or professional negligence shall not be tolerated. Any health worker found culpable will be de-registered and also face criminal charges."

Ms Akala, who was in labour, allegedly died after staff left her unattended for 14 hours at the hospital.

According to her family, she was admitted at the hospital last week on Tuesday after an ultrasound examination showed that her 34-week-old baby had died in the womb.