The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has given the Longisa County Referral Hospital seven days to answer concerns regarding the death of a three-year-old girl who succumbed in the hospital after reportedly waiting for five hours without care.
In a notice dated Wednesday, November 20, the commission stated that heartbreaking footage that showed the little girl who had been stung by bees being left unattended raised several questions regarding the hospital's adherence to professional standards and ethical principles.
“The Commission is concerned that the alleged negligence may constitute a violation of the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act, which outlines the professional standards and ethical obligations of healthcare providers,” part of the statement read.
"The alleged failure to provide timely and appropriate medical care could be considered professional misconduct, particularly as it resulted in the death of the child."
CAJ further stated that the hospital’s conduct had contravened several other Constitutional laws, including Section 5 of the Health Act, which stresses the importance of quality healthcare, and Article 43 of the Constitution, which ensures the right to health for all Kenyans.
In light of this revelation, the Commission issued six demands to the hospital to be met within the next seven days.
Addressed to the hospital’s superintendent, the notice first ordered a detailed report indicating the treatment offered to the child by the hospital from the point the patient was brought to the hospital.
They then asked for the current status of the investigation into the alleged negligence by the medical staff at the hospital as well as the disciplinary actions being taken against the medical staff that contributed to the occurrence.
Fourth on the list were steps being taken to ensure that patients' right to access timely and adequate healthcare is respected and upheld at the hospital.
To ensure the event does not reoccur, CAJ also demanded the existence of an effective and responsive complaint management system, as evidenced by a complaints management register.
Last on the list of demands was an action matrix to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future, promoting and protecting the right to health.
This demand by CAJ comes just a few days after Bomet senator Hillary Sigei, flanked by fellow Bomet leaders, convened a press briefing to call out County Governor Hillary Barchok for not commenting on the three-year-old's death.
“As a senator who is involved in oversight, we have made prompt visits to those facilities. This is not politics anymore, this is the lives of many people living in Bomet County,” Sigei stated.
The child was among four people who were attacked by a swarm of bees on Saturday, November 9, and promptly taken to the Longisa County Referral. She died in her hospital bed after not being granted care for five hours.
She was laid to rest three days ago when supporters affiliated with the two different politicians clashed, causing a pandemonium during the ceremony.
