Bomet Chief Officer for Health Felix Kipkorir Lang’at has addressed a disturbing video circulated online of the death of a child neglected by laughing nurses.
The footage, which has sparked outrage on social media, shows the child writhing on the floor while hospital staff stand by, laughing and chatting instead of attending to the emergency.
Kipkorir has confirmed reports that the baby died, saying that the county government is following up on the matter.
Further, he has assured the public that the county government is actively investigating the incident and will release a detailed report on the events surrounding the child’s death.
“We send our condolence to the family of the young kid and are currently on it, with the full management. We will give a full chronology of events in a few,
“Actions will be taken on anyone if found to be in lapse, but the truth will be revealed after the meeting,” he has stated.
Also Read: Concerns as Patients Share Bed at a Hospital in Nairobi
Details of the Death and What Transpired at the Hospital
According to witnesses, two children were rushed to Longisa Hospital after being stung by bees.
However, for one of the children, who was severely injured, the hospital allegedly demanded Ksh5,000 for ambulance services and an additional Ksh80,000 deposit for a referral to Tenwek AGC Hospital.
Unable to meet these financial demands, the family claimed that the nurses ignored the child’s distress, leading to the ultimate death.
From the video, the child lay on the floor of the hospital, before being transferred to a bed.
He rolls over the bed in pain, covered in lessos and the hospital bedding. The incident has caused uproar online, with the government health systems being questioned.
Moreover, the incident has raised further questions about the newly rolled out Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
Also Read: State House Chief Explains Why Hospitals Demand Cash from Patients Despite SHA Rollout
Uproar Over SHA Rollout
Following the rollout of SHA in October, videos emerged of patients, especially expectant and new mothers, sharing beds at Mama Lucy Hospital.
Additionally, other patients were forced to share hospital beds with up to 5 people in the maternity ward another patient revealed, while others were forced to sleep on the floor, some without bedding.
According to some of the patients, they sacrifice the minimal space left on the bed for their newborn babies.
Moreover, patients at the hospital pay a fee of Ksh 1,000 every night for a hospital bed, despite not sleeping in the bed.
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