Suspicious deaths rock Kiambu Hospital as authorities dig in

Kiambu Hospital has come under sharp scrutiny in the wake of a report that indicated the hospital had 60 infants dead from December.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDB) has launched an investigation into the deaths of the infants, noting that the numbers are one too many.

The board CEO Daniel Yumbya, made the statement on Sunday, after a report on Friday that that number of new-borns had died at the facility in the last two months.

Defend the hospital

However, Mary Kamau, Kiambu County Health executive committee member, confirmed the deaths but defended the hospital against reports of widespread negligence.

Comprehensive report

In a letter dated 15th February, 2019, the medical board demanded a comprehensive report detailing all the deaths.

In the letter signed by Dr Yumbya,  Kiambu medical superintendent Dr Jesse Ngugi was pressed to explain the circumstances under which the infants passed away.

“The attention of the board is drawn to a report appearing in a local daily, which alleges that at least 60 infants have died at Kiambu Level Five Hospital since December 2018,” the letter read in part.

“To assist the board in its investigations, you are required to submit a comprehensive report on the allegations raised in the article and patient files of all the infants who passed away.”

Health CS digs in

Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary for Health Dr Cecily Kariuki, has also expressed concerns over the shocking revelations.

“I have written to the hospital to submit a report on the deaths by Friday. We shall visit the facility, analyse the report and submit our findings to the Cabinet secretary for further action,” said Dr Yumbya.

“We will be accompanied by members of the Nursing Council of Kenya to ascertain the conditions under which expectant [women] and their babies receive health care at the facility,” he added.

Locals decry negligence

The families directly affected by these deaths have blamed the hospital of negligence in the wake of public’s anger over care for pregnant women and babies.

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