Seven health officers suspended over death of pregnant woman in Busia

Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong address the Senate Committee on Finance at County Hall Nairobi on the Shareable Revenues to County Governments for the year 2015-16 which was before the senators 07/04/15 [PHOTO/MOSES OMUSULA/STANDARD]

Six officers and an ambulance driver at Sio Port sub-district hospital, who were on duty when a pregnant woman died while waiting to be moved to the County Referral Hospital, have been suspended. The woman had developed delivery complications.

Governor Sospeter Ojaamong made the revelation on Friday.

Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation Ekisa Akisa, said those interdicted include four clinical officers, two nurses and a driver.

Ms Akisa said they will appear before the advisory committee tomorrow to  explain what caused the death of the 40-year-old pregnant widow after she was left writhing in pain for over 12 hours with no means to transfer her to Busia Hospital.

sent packing

The two clinical officers will appear first before the committee and will be sent packing if found guilty.

"If the negligence claims are ascertained, the officers responsible will be blacklisted. We shall not allow them to move to other health institutions in the country," Mr Ojaamong said.

The governor added that the county administration bought seven ambulances to be used for all the seven sub counties, warning that bribes of Sh1,000 or more under the pretext of fuelling the vehicles will not be tolerated.

Medical Superintendent Janerose Ambuchi, said they will carry out a maternal-death review on the body this week to ascertain whether negligence led to the woman's death.