- It would normally take about half an hour to cover the distance when the road is clear.
- Committee chairperson Jackson Mandago wondered why it took so long to get the patient to Kiambu, more so because it was at night and there was little traffic.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
It took over two hours to transfer a critically ill patient from Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital to Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, a distance of about 20 kilometres, the Senate Health Committee has heard.
The committee, which is probing allegations of negligence at Mama Lucy was told the patient left the facility at 11 pm and was received in Kiambu at 1.20 am.
It would normally take about half an hour to cover the distance when the road is clear.
Committee chairperson Jackson Mandago wondered why it took so long to get the patient to Kiambu, more so because it was at night and there was little traffic.
“The ambulance was also fitted with sirens. We are wondering why it took so long to get to Kiambu yet the patient was in very bad condition,” Mandago said.
The committee has been probing the claims following the death of Maureen Anyango after giving birth to twins at the facility.
Officials from Kiambu Level 5 Hospital told the committee the patient was received after midnight on September 7 but she succumbed later that morning.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, who had also appeared before the committee doubted claims the transfer took two hours.
“Did they record the time upon arrival or after the patient had been handed over and processed for treatment,? he posed.
“Stabilising the patient takes time.”
Sakaja however promised to act swiftly if it is established that there was negligence and laxity.
“Let us not lie to ourselves,” he said.
“The health care system in Nairobi is wanting but we are moving to correct the problems. The task force looking at the problems will release its report soon. Health services will work, must work.”
The 28-year-old woman delivered twins at the facility on September 6.
Her husband, Robert Omondi, earlier told the committee that his wife started bleeding after delivering through a caesarian section.
The committee, led by Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago is said to be considering all possible options, including recommending temporary closure of the facility.
Senators say the death could have been avoided had the people taking charge acted with speed and professionalism.
Mama Lucy’s reproductive health department has the third largest maternity in the country by workload.
Despite having only 71 beds, the facility had 2,770 deliveries (an average of 30 each day) between July and September 2022, according to submissions by the Nairobi county government to the committee.
According to the county, the number was only exceeded by Nakuru Referral Hospital at 2,954 deliveries with 250 beds and Pumwani Maternity Hospital at 4,780 deliveries (354 beds).
The probe aside, the committee has indicated that it wants an evaluation of all public health facilities to establish if they qualify for the status bestowed on them.
Lawmakers said most of the public health facilities in the city are offering services below par.
Senators made the suggestions when they received submissions from the Kenya Health Professionals Oversight Authority, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council on cases of alleged negligence at Kenyatta National Hospital and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Nairobi on November 22.
Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana said KNH and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospitals must live up to their grades and offer quality medical services to the public.