During the hearing his widow, Jesca Moraa, testified that Coptic Hospital demanded payment of a deposit of Kshs. 200,000/- before they could attend to him. KELIN, through its lawyer and representative of the deceased, Ms. Tabitha Saoyo, argued that KNH did not make any efforts to refer the patient to any other facility thus causing delay in the treatment and care of a critically injured patient. She also stated that KNH lacks an effective referral system and did not make any efforts to provide a nurse or doctor to accompany the patient in the ambulance, as required by the referral guidelines.
The Medical Board had summoned KNH and Coptic to answer to charges that included failure to provide emergency medical treatment; failure to put in place appropriate emergency and referral response systems; and failure to transfer the patient. Dr. Bernard Muia who is the Nairobi County Executive Committee Member in charge of Health Services chaired the Professional Conduct Committee that presided over the inquiry.
Coptic and KNH each presented three witnesses who testified that the hospitals were not to blame for the delay in treatment of the deceased. The board has consequently directed Coptic and KNH to file their written submissions before Wednesday 19 October, 2016 after which it will deliver its ruling.
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For more information contact:
Tabitha Saoyo – Programme Manager
Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights, KELIN
4th Floor, Somak Building, Mombasa Road
Tel +254202515790; Cell +254 790 339963;
Email: tsaoyo@kelinkenya.org
