A medical intern at Baringo County Referral Hospital was arrested On Monday, July 24, for stealing drugs and medical supplies.
Speaking to journalists after the incident, Baringo County Police Commander, Julius Kiragu said that the police had arrested the intern who worked at the hospital from time to time and the doctor who was on duty at the time of the incident.
The police commander further revealed that the police escorted the intern to his residence, where they recovered additional hidden drugs.
Dr. Gerishom Abakalwa, the medical superintendent, also addressed the media, stating the hospital's management was aware of the ongoing theft and had already implemented measures to prevent such incidents in the future and hold those responsible accountable.
According to the superintendent, the culprits were stopped on their tracks while trying to leave the facility with a stuffed bag.
The officers working night shift demanded to search the intern's bag in line with the hospital's security requirements. It was at this juncture that they found medical supplies and drugs of an unspecified value stashed inside the bag.
The security attendants promptly informed police officers from Kabarnet police station, who arrested the two culprits.
The superintendent said they are now waiting for investigations to be completed before taking further action.
“We just want the law to take its course so that the hospital gets value for what the people of Baringo have invested in their hospital,” the medical superintendent said.
Dr. Gerishon seized the opportunity to issue a stern warning to other medics cautioning them that the hospital would not condone such activities moving forward.
Baringo County Health Secretary, Dr. Solomon Sirma noted that the county government had in the recent past received numerous reports from the hospital about stolen drugs.
The health official warned that the theft risked crippling operations at the health facility. The theft, the official remarked had forced doctors at the hospital to refer patients to other hospitals in Iten and Eldoret.
