A private hospital established in Machakos County is under Government radar following last week’s incident in which an expectant woman gave birth on the reception floor after nurses refused to admit her to labour wards for lack of money.
A high powered delegation drawn from both Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDU) and Machakos County government toured the facility in Athi River yesterday for a fact-finding mission where ‘alarming abuse of procedures’ were unearthed.
The seven-hour operation led by KMPB CEO, Daniel Yumbya and the county’s health minister, Ancent Kituku also recommended a joint clinical audit beginning today to review staffing and standard operating procedures in the facility.
Some of the immediate actions taken after the visit included suspension of John Ndege, a casualty nurse who was also ordered to undergo retraining at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
The hospital’s administrator, Thomas Ndolo was arrested for allegedly hiring quacks and contravening other operational procedures.
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Governor Alfred Mutua, who released a statement soon after the operation said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had also been invited to conduct further investigations at the facility with the possibility of charging the directors of the hospital with criminal negligence.
“Healthcare is a fundamental right. Money should not take precedence over respect for human life. You either do things well in Machakos County or you ship out,” said Dr Mutua.
