Makindu Sub-county Hospital in Makueni County has been ordered to pay a 4-year-old boy Ksh6 million after an unfortunate hot light bulb accident.
Maweu Mutuku lost his leg through amputation after sustaining serious burn injuries after the bulb fell on his body at the facility.
Making the ruling, Makindu Resident Magistrate Gerald Mutiso noted that Maweu’s current condition was as a result of the hospital’s failure to accord him prudent and professional attendance.
[caption caption="Maweu Mutuku and his mother Philomena Ndunge"]
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Besides, Mutiso noted that the child may likely require an artificial limb in the future hence the need to compensate him accordingly.
The young boy's mother Philomena Ndunge told the court that she gave birth to Maweu through a caesarean section surgery on October 21, 2013, at the hospital.
Her newborn baby was then transferred to the nursery only to be brought back to her with a bandage on his right leg.
Ndunge narrated that the hospital did not update her on what had transpired and its only after two days that a nurse revealed that a light bulb had burnt her son.
The facility then continued treating Maweu although instead of healing, the wound worsened forcing the hospital to settle on amputating the leg.
Delivering the ruling in the suit filed by Maweu's grandfather, Julius Ndungi, the court indicated that the hospital went against its code of conduct by failing to accord Museu proper medical attention.
[caption caption="A baby under a hospital's care"]
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Following the ruling, Ms Ndunge expressed her disappointment in the way the Makindu Hospital handled the matter "I was disgusted after learning what had happened to my baby.
"We have struggled with him over the years. He walks and plays with others with difficulty. But now I am happy about the court’s ruling since we will be able to grant him a better life," she expressed her relief.
