Medics at Thika cleared of any malpractice

Written By:Judith Akolo,    Posted: Tue, Aug 09, 2011

Public Health Minister Beth Mugo on Sunday led a high profile government delegation to the Hospital following reports of negligence by medical staff Medics at Thika Level 5 Hospital have been cleared of any malpractice. Medical Services Permanent Secretary Mary Ngare said preliminary investigations had indicated that the four infants had died due to natural causes. Public Health Minister Beth Mugo on Sunday ordered speedy investigations into the deaths of four children who died between the 4th and 5th of August due to what parents had claimed was negligence on the part of medical staff at the Hospital. Fielding questions from journalists in Nairobi Tuesday at the Kenyatta International Conference Center Monday, after opening a workshop for stakeholders in the health on the constitution, the PS said investigations have shown that the children died of natural causes that have been exacerbated by the ongoing cold weather in the central region of the country. "The facts speak for themselves, they died of natural causes. There was no issue about the oxygen supply." The PS blamed the parents of the infants of not ensuring that their children were vaccinated against pneumonia and meningitis which is believed to have killed the infants. She said the situation was further compounded by malnutrition. She advised parents to be watchful on their children especially during adverse weather conditions. Mugo on Sunday led a high profile government delegation to the Hospital following reports of negligence by medical staff and directed that immediate investigations be carried out by both the Ministry of Public Health and that of Medical Services plus the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board to ascertain the cause of death. Medical report Meanwhile, according to the medical report released by the hospital superintendent Dr. Jonah Mwangi Tuesday, Salome Njoki Mwaura aged 7 months was admitted on July 28 and died on August 5. The report says the patient was vomiting, diarrhoearing and had difficult in breath. On being diagonised it was established she had severe pneumonia and some dehydration. On August 5 the condition of the child deteriorated, started gasping and the child later died at 6.30 AM. Lydia Wangui aged 8 months was admitted on July 22 and died on August 5. She was diarrhea ring and had refused to feed. On being diagnosed it was established she had severe dehydration in GE and had non bloody diarrhoea. Her condition deteriorated on August5, resuscitation was initiated but was unsuccessful and the kid succumbed to death at 7.45Am. Fidelis Wanjiru aged 11 days had been admitted at the facility on August 1 and died on August 5. She had refused to breastfeed and had dib. It was established she had neonatal sepsis and severe dehydration. On august 5 the condition of the patient deteriorated, she was put on oxygen therapy, resuscitation was done but unsuccessful and the baby passed on at 5.45AM, cause of death cardiopulmonary by arrest due to neonatal sepsis. Ann Mumbua 13 years was admitted on August 3, while suffering from fever, easy fatigability, palpitations and dysponea. On being diagnosed it was ascertained that the child had severe anemia in rheumatic heart disease. The kid died on August 4 at 2.30 PM cause of death: cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to rheumatic heart disease. The reports details treatment, effort done to save the life of each child and the therapy availed. An investigative team compromising medical services Ps Mary Ngare, Director of medical service Francis Kimani and the medical practitioners and dentists' board, Dr. Daniel Yumbya has cleared the hospital staff from blame of negligence and laxity