County Forced to Pay Millions After Medics' Cure Backfires

Right to left: Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’, Bernard Yaite, Allan Omachari and Samuel Ombui at the Milimani Law Courts on July 6, 2018.
Right to left: Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong’, Bernard Yaite, Allan Omachari and Samuel Ombui at the Milimani Law Courts on July 6, 2018.
Daily Nation

Several families in Busia County were the recipients of Ksh42 million from the county government on Saturday, April 3.

The money was paid out to the families of 28 children who developed varied life-changing complications after receiving injections meant to cure malaria in 2015 after a protracted court battle.

The children, after being erroneously diagnosed with malaria, received the injections at the Akichelesit Dispensary in Teso North, Busia County that resulted in permanent disability.

Some of the children left paralysed after receiving injections at Akichelesit Dispensary in Teso North, Busia County between April 7, 2013 and June 25, 2015.
Some of the children left paralysed after receiving injections at Akichelesit Dispensary in Teso North, Busia County between April 7, 2013 and June 25, 2015.
Daily Nation

The children had to be airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment with some left mentally challenged while others suffered partial paralysis.

An official from the Busia County Health Department speaking during the handover of the cheque stated that the exact sum received was approved by the Busia County Government.

"The budget that was approved allowed us to released Ksh 42, 880, 000 which is the money we have a cheque for. This is the money that is in the account of the County Department of Health," detailed the official.

The funds were released to the lawyer acting on behalf of the families who would be tasked with dividing it among them as per the directives issued by the court.

"The court itself made an assessment on how the money would be spent based on the injuries of the children," stated the official.

The affected parents were requested to view the funds as money received primarily for the victims that could be used to assist the children through their lives as well as cover any health costs.

The court awarded the affected families Ksh 62 million that the county resolved to pay in two phases.

"There is still Ksh 19, 120,000 that has not been paid out that we will place in the budget this year, and once it is approved, we will be able to pay it out," explained the official.

Watch the families receive the funds in the video below:

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The official acknowledged that a grievous mistake had been made by the health officials at Akichelesit Dispensary and expressed a commitment on behalf of the county health department that such an error would not be repeated in the county.

"As the ministry, we want to make sure that such a mistake does not happen again and to make sure as well that those who come for treatment do not receive it in ways that are not legitimate," he stated.

The larger part of the fund would be held in trust to be accessed by the children when they attained the age of 18.