Kenyatta National Hospital has today been on the receiving end of harsh and strict criticism following the reports of a two-year old boy who had a fork jembe lodged in his head died at the facility.
According to the boy’s mother Judy Muthoni, his son Javis, was playing with his siblings when he was hit with a Jembe on his head. The incident occurred on Monday evening before the boy could be rushed to Thika Level 5 hospital. Medics at the hospital conducted first aid and referred his case to Kenyatta National Hospital where he was admitted.
Thika Level 5 Hospital
The toddler who passed on while on the operation table had waited to be treated for almost 20 hours. His relatives are now demanding an explanation from the Kenya’s number one referral hospital, while Kenyans took to social media to demand for answers.
“Kenyatta National Hospital (or is it Kenyatta mortuary?) Is responsible for the death of that boy. 24 hours in casualty without being admitted is too much! Heads must roll!,” Thuo. “The entire Kenyatta National Hospital management should be home by now. Why delay a surgery process to remove a fork from this champ’s head? I am disappointed,” said Cornelius Mureithi. Another Kenyan, Obdusman remarked, “You better spend your money on expensive hospitals where good treatment is guaranteed, other than going to a hell of fire like Kenyatta National Hospital. Ken Walibora died because no one was there to attend to him.”
Following the outburst on social media, the Kenyatta National Hospital Communication office shared their side of the story, “We wish to assure members of the public as follows: The patient had lost a lot of blood and as a result, the clotting process was not occurring as expected, thereby, delaying the surgical procedure as this would have been dangerous to the patient.”
In their latest press release the Management of KNH, stated that the patient was received by the Accident and Emergency Department including a team of neurosurgeons who commenced immediate treatment and investigations to determine the safest management approach.
They also said, “Clinical examinations and investigations on the patient, including CT scans and blood tests, confirmed penetrating injury into the brain, brain swelling with ongoing bleeding and possible infection. Additionally, the ability of his blood to clot was impaired, requiring correction before any surgical intervention.”
The medical team was able to correct the detected anomalies by giving blood products and medication. When the toddler was in a stable condition they proceeded to theatre. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated while in theatre and all efforts to resuscitate him were futile. The family was later on invited for a family conference where they offered a chronological explanations of the events as the news went viral.
The management has since conveyed a message of condolence to the family of the deceased toddler on the unfortunate injury.
