A family is crying for justice after their son died under unclear circumstances while being treated at the Embu County Referral Hospital.
The patient, Benard Kariri, 30, was undergoing blood transfusion at the hospital’s male ward where he had been admitted after he fell sick, when he passed away, triggering protests by family members who accused doctors of negligence.
Following the sudden death, the family reported the matter to Embu West Police Station for investigations to be done.
NURSES SUMMONED
Embu County Police Commander Daniel Rukunga confirmed that the patient died at the hospital and two nurses who were attending to him had been summoned to the station to record statements.
Mr Rukunga promised to have an inquiry into the death of Mr Kariri opened once the nurses are questioned.
Mr Kariri’s mother, Eunice Njeri, narrated how they rushed her son to the hospital a fortnight ago for treatment when he started complaining of feeling weak and general body pains.
The family hails from Kagio village in Kirinyaga County.
BAD BLOOD
Ms Njeri explained that her son’s condition improved a few days after being admitted to the hospital and he was about to be discharged on Tuesday last week when the worst happened.
“Before he could be discharged, the doctors resolved that he be given blood. However, he failed to wake up after the blood transfusion,” she recalled as tears welled up in her eyes.
Ms Njeri claimed that her son was given the wrong blood type and that is why he died and called on the police to get to the bottom of the matter.
“Doctors mistakenly administered on my son blood meant for another 84-year-old man admitted to the same hospital. The blood did not match with my son’s blood group and that is how he met his death,” Ms Njeri claimed.
Mr Kariri’s sister, Betty Muthinja, was equally shocked on learning what had happened to her brother.
“After realising that the wrong blood was transfused into my brother’s body, I confronted one of the nurses and demanded to know why they did that but instead of explaining she laughed and left in hurry,” said Ms Muthinja.
Moments later, Ms Muthinja added, the nurse returned and told her that she was sorry for the mess.
DECLINED COMMENT
Accompanied by their lawyer, Mr Antony Nyamu, the family vowed to sue the hospital for compensation.
Contacted for comment, Embu County Health executive Joan Mwende declined to talk about the matter and criticised Mr Kariri’s family for disclosing it to the media.
“The family knows very well the protocol to follow when reporting such an issue. They should not involve the press on such matters,” she said.
The hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Daniel Mugendi declined to speak to journalists, saying the matter was being handled by the police.