Mother claims nurse watched her newborn die

By MERCY KAHENDA

When IEBC Commissioner Thomas Letangule received news of the death of his wife, he grieved in pain and blamed doctors of negligence.

Like Letangule, most Kenyans seek medical advice and treatment in hospitals in the hope that their loved ones or relatives will be treated and cured for specific illness.

Unluckily, some patients suffer devastating effects as a result of doctors’ professional negligence in some cases leading to deaths, financial and psychological challenges.

“We have been through hell due to such negligence at the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital,” claims Samuel Ngugi and his wife Ann Muthoni.

The couple had prepared to welcome their newborn baby and when Ann went to labour on January 17, this year, they knew that the moment they had prepared for had come.

They boarded a matatu from their humble abode at Salgaa carrying baby clothing they had bought along with towels, baby shawls, basins, baby soap and all basic necessities required for a new baby.

Despite Muthoni being in labour for the first time, she persevered and joy replaced her tears and pain when she gave birth to a girl.

“When I was called in maternity ward and told the baby was a girl, I felt on top of the world,” says Ngugi.

They named her Mitchell Muthoni and she was taken to the nursery as he continued to keep up the spirits of his exhausted wife.

“We were thanking God for making us a dad and mum and you could tell it on the face of my wife who, though tired, was very happy,” says Ngugi.

Rude nurse

That was the last time he saw his first born baby girl. The poor child did not come back alive.

Ngugi claims something terrible must have gone wrong in Ward Six where the baby was put in an incubator. According to Ngugi, a woman who shared a bed with Muthoni noticed mucus coming from the baby’s nose and advised her to seek assistance, quickly. She called a nurse who, however, told her off and walked away.

“That was my last glance at my daughter. She died as I watched. May her soul rest in peace,” recalls Muthoni.

“I am a Christian. I have forgiven the nurse and hope God will bless me with another daughter,” she says adding that women are abused and generally mistreated while at the maternity ward.

Her husband, however, says the death of his first-born child in hospital has caused him psychological disturbance and that he has no trust in doctors.

Muthoni was discharged after paying Sh13,000 maternity fee, but she is not alone. Wangare Maina says she lost her first-born in 2011 in a similar manner.

“There is something wrong at the provincial hospital. Children and mothers die and nobody cares. It is an evil that sounds normal,” says Wangare, adding that nurses at the hospital are careless and have no regard to human life.

She gave birth to a son and was discharged, but later the infant developed difficulty in breathing and she went back to the hospital and was admitted with the baby.

She says a statement from a nurse made her realise something was terribly wrong.

“Hawa trainees ni wajinga sana (these trainees are idiots),” she quotes the irritated nurse’s words that marked her last moments with the son.

“Since I lost my son, I have never thought of giving birth again. I can’t have the birth pain with no child to show for it,” she says.

Regardless of presence of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board to report such cases to, majority of people The Standard talked to are unaware of the body while others simply lack the patience that comes with the case follow ups.

‘Baseless Claims’

Contacted over the phone for comment, the Rift Valley Province General Hospital Medical Superintended John Murima dismissed the claims.

He said most women do not attend prenatal care and during birth, many children are diagnosed with health complications that sometimes result in deaths.

“People should seek medical help whenever they have problems because last minute interventions could be too late,” said Dr Murima.