Man sues hospital for death of his wife

A man whose wife died under unclear circumstances in a maternity ward at Lodwar Hospital has sued the facility’s management for negligence.

Hellen Nateni died on May 29 at the Lodwar County Referral hospital where she had gone to give birth. 

Her husband, Paul Nangiro sued the hospital superintendent, the county government and the county secretary for negligence that he claims led to his wife's death.

On Thursday afternoon, the widower won the first round in the case.

He had applied orders from the High Court in Lodwar directing the hospital’s medical superintendent to release the deceased’s medical healthcare card among other documents necessary for the ongoing case.

Maternity

Nangiro through his lawyer Ekusi Lore also sought orders for express access to the hospital’s maternal death audit report as well as the duty roster of nurses and doctors on duty at the hospital’s maternity wing on May 29.

The prayers were granted by High Court Judge James Wakiaga.

He also sought orders prohibiting the hospital from implementing a planned transfer and restructuring of medical personnel at the health facility pending the hearing and determination of the case.

The death of Nateni and her baby sparked public uproar, prompting her husband to move to court to seek justice after the hospital declined to provide satisfactory reasons for her death.

He said the applicant is suing the hospital and county authorities for vicarious liability in the mother’s death.

“It is our position that there was medical negligence,” the advocate said.