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Kenya: Nyong’o Orders Probe After Patient Turned Away At Jaramogi Hospital

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5 years ago

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Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has ordered investigations into why Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital failed to admit a patient with an ectopic pregnancy early this week forcing her family to transfer her to a private facility.

The Governor ordered the probe on Thursday after the Nation carried the story of the patient who was denied medical attention on Monday after developing stomach complications.

The patient had to seek a surgical operation at Port Florence Community Hospital because doctors in public hospitals are on strike.

Speaking to the Nation earlier, the hospital’s CEO, Dr Peter Okoth, defended it, saying doctors are unavailable due to the strike so nobody can be admitted.

“This is something above me. It is difficult and we are constrained. We can handle casualties but we can’t admit them since the doctors are on strike,” he said in an interview.

EMERGENCIES

But Governor Nyong’o said the hospital has always had a team of doctors to handle emergencies despite the strike now on its 31st day.

“I know that despite the strike, we should be having doctors at the facilities to handle emergencies. I would like to know why this particular patient was not attended to,” he said.

Earlier, the governor held an emergency meeting with members of the County Health Management Team and ordered them to help end the on-going doctor’s strike.

He told the county health management team, “I want you to find out why doctors are still on strike when we have addressed most of their grievances. Why are they not in hospitals?”

BLAME GAME

Kisumu’s doctors have refused to resume duty until the county pays their salaries and effects promotions.

Dr Kevin Osuri, Nyanza region chair of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), said doctors should be paid arrears dating back to July 2019.

“We honored an invite by Kisumu to find a way forward and end our strike. The employer insisted that we call off the strike, which we are keen on doing provided they meet our demands,” he said.

But Governor Nyong’o asked the doctors to stop the blame game and resume work as their grievances are addressed. He said the strike was unfortunate and uncalled for.

SOLUTION