NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 29 – A grieving mother is demanding answers and accountability following the tragic death of her one-year-and-five-month-old daughter at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), which she claims resulted from medical negligence.
Suzan Wanjiru Wangari says her daughter, Gian Wangari, died in her arms in the early hours of July 20 after nurses allegedly failed to attend to her and delayed calling a doctor.
“The nurses were not doing anything from 2 to 6 am, and no doctor came to check on my child. I watched my child die in my arms,” she recounted in a press interview on Monday.
Gian, who had been diagnosed with Grade 4 Genital Ulcer Disease (GUD), had been undergoing treatment at the facility prior to her death.
Wanjiru, a resident of Kawangware, claims that some of the nurses admitted their failure to seek timely intervention from a doctor.
She also accused the hospital of withholding her child’s medical report, saying she has only been provided with a death summary.
“I’ve requested for the medical report, but they have refused to give it to me. The only thing I’ve received is a death summary,” she said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who was present when Wanjiru shared her account, offered his condolences and directed the hospital to assist her in lodging a formal complaint with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
“I am very sorry for your loss, and no Kenyan should go through that,” said Duale.
“Make sure you take her details, and tomorrow morning she goes to KMPDC and files the complaint; justice must be served.”
The CS promised that justice would be pursued and assured that those found responsible would face action.
