KNH Statement After Death of Baby With Fork Jembe Lodged in His Head

Journalists and police officers pictured at the entrance of the Kenyatta National Hospital on August 25, 2021.
Journalists and police officers pictured at the entrance of the Kenyatta National Hospital on August 25, 2021.
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Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has cleared the air on the circumstances that led to the death of a baby admitted to the facility with a fork jembe lodged in his head.

The hospital, in a statement issued on Wednesday, October 12, stated that the baby's brain was swollen and exhibited signs of possible injury.

According to the referral facility, clinical examinations and scans established that the fork jembe had penetrated the brain and subsequently led to the swelling of the two-year-old baby's brain due to internal bleeding. 

Kenyatta National Hospital.
Kenyatta National Hospital.
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"Clinical examinations and investigations on the patient, including CT scans and blood tests, confirmed penetrating injury into the brain, brain swelling with ongoing bleeding and possible infection," reads part of the statement.

In addition, the hospital defended its decision to delay the surgical operation required to remove the object from his head.

The baby’s system's ability to clot the bleeding, the statement states, was impaired which hindered the process of surgery. 

In reaction to the matter, the facility resorted to correcting the blood clotting problem before proceeding with the surgery as members of the public would have expected. 

“A process of correcting the detected anomalies by giving blood products and medication, while monitoring the patient's response was immediately commenced,” stated George Ooko, Chair, KNH Board Management.

Eventually, the medics managed to restore the patient's blood deficit and subsequently made the decision to embark on the surgical process required to remove the lodged object. 

However, the hospital noted that the baby's condition deteriorated while in the theatre after developing complications. 

The baby was referred to the hospital on Monday after a recommendation from the Thika Level 5 Hospital where he was initially rushed. However, the circumstances that led to the stuck object in his head remain vague. 

The facility's management has since conveyed a message of condolence to the family of the deceased baby. 

Surgeons performing surgery on a patient.
Surgeons performing surgery on a patient.
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