Doctors at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi, Kenya are up in arms over the suspension of a neurosurgeon and three other medical staff who performed brain surgery on a wrong patient.
The neurosurgeon, ward nurse, theatre receiving nurse and anaesthetist noticed the huge blunder after hours into the craniotomy surgery at the trauma theatre of KNH in February, reports Kenyan local news portal The Star.
The hospital suspended the admission abilities of the doctor and his team and issued him a show-cause letter; which calls for him to provide an explanation of the incident.
“As unit colleagues, we believe that while our friend may have exhibited some procedural shortcomings, the surgery was done on the wrong patient mainly because of wrong patient labelling by the ward staff, slapping a suspension on our colleague is totally erroneous, victimizing in nature and unwarranted,” said a group of doctors in a statement cited by The Star.
“KNH should sort out the system failure on their part. Today it is him, we don’t know who the failed system will nab tomorrow,” they added.
They also requested that supporters of reinstating the brain surgeon meet outside the principal’s court as a call to action for the suspension to be revoked.
KNH CEO Lily Koros stated that the hospital: “deeply regrets this event and has done all it can to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient in question. We are happy to inform the public that the patient is in recovery and progressing well.”
The victim who was at the hospital to be treated for swelling of his head is reported to be responding to treatment and might not need surgery as his condition has improved.
The hospital has been condemned for the mistake.
Below is a cross-section of comments on Twitter:
Uki kumbuka you are once admitted in Kenyatta National Hospital pic.twitter.com/OHWhB43ZHc
— Mnur feruz (@Fmnur) March 2, 2018
i saw Kenyatta National Hospital trending and i knew a possibility of 9/10 could be its trending for sth bad reasons
— Lekayie (@lekayiez) March 2, 2018
Our @KNH_hospital is making headlines at international scene.
Congratulations Kenyatta National Hospital!#EnergyForumInKisumu https://t.co/R8ynXZHNaF— Charles Mwabili (@CMwabili) March 2, 2018
That moment ur in Kenyatta National Hospital for circumcision it ends up being a castration pic.twitter.com/FFU407Qx0H
— David Ger (@abol_ger) March 2, 2018
If you have a potbelly, avoid Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)…. You may end up at the maternity ward
— magomere wycliffe (@MyayiMurogori) March 2, 2018
Paul Muite should really stay away from Kenyatta National Hospital.
He might find himself in the theatre getting eye surgery— King Jimmy (@JimmyMwachiru) March 2, 2018
Systemic Failure and Negligence on the part of medical professionals involved led to the unfortunate surgery on the wrong patient at Kenyatta National Hospital…at the very least, a detailed investigation report & disciplinary action is a must for this kind of incident.
— Kinoti K.K. (@KinotiKKen) March 2, 2018
So in summary, an expectant mother can go to give birth at Kenyatta National Hospital, gets raped by morgue attendants along the corridors, the baby gets stolen and finally finds herself with neurosurgeons undergoing brain surgery. Clearly 2018 is not KNH officials year
— Gitonga Ngari (@GitongaDaniel1) March 2, 2018
“Kenyatta National Hospital” management is now undoubtedly the 2nd biggest probem after corruption which we are facing a country. operation #ONDOAUCHAFU
— Gideon Kioko J.B (@gidxkiokojb) March 2, 2018
Walking into a hospital not knowing what you are going to be treated for. How do Kenyans even begin to process that? #KNH #kenyattahospital #KOT
— GDA?? (@GeorgeDrammeh) March 2, 2018
Am not even mentioning the things that have happened at Kenyatta National Hospital but look at this:
1. We have sworn in two presidents,
2.We have received the world cup.
3. Eric Omondi has shown us his genitals twice & we are still in the Third month of the year!!Bado mapambano— FELIX (@kibetfelix7) March 2, 2018
