University student dies in Kakamega referral hospital after ‘12-hour wait’

The family of the late Abigael Chesang pray at her bedside. Chesang died as she awaited treatment. [Photo: Robert Amalemba/ Standard]

A university student died at Kakamega County Referral Hospital after allegedly waiting for 12 hours to get treatment.

Relatives said Abigael Chesang, who was scheduled to celebrate her 20th birthday this week, died as she struggled to breastfeed her baby.

Her death follows another indecent, a fortnight ago, when Elizabeth Akala died as she waited for assistance but was left unattended by nurses who were allegedly signing off.

Chesang, a Third Year Bachelor of Education student at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) had last week delivered a boy at the same hospital through Cesarean section but later developed complications.

"My wife felt weak, started complaining of abdominal pains and she was sweating profusely. I realised that she had difficulties in breathing and decided to rush her to Kakamega County Referral Hospital with confidence that it had her medical history," said Chesang's husband Wellington Chibole. When the couple together with Chibole's brother arrived at the hospital, the patient was not immediately admitted.

"I was told to go for a haemoglobin test from a medical centre because the county hospital did not have a machine to conduct such a test. We moved metres away to a private medical lab to get the test," said Chibole, who is an accounts student at MMUST.

Armed with the haemoglobin test results, Chibole walked into the hospital and was referred to Ward 8, a gynaecology ward with assurance that his wife would be attended to quickly.

"At the ward she struggled to breastfeed our one-week-old baby as we waited for a medical doctor to attend to her. In the meantime, intern nurses were around assuring that they had alerted the doctor who was in theatre," said Chibole.

During the 12-hour wait, Chesang was given painkillers (Diclofenac), the same ones she was given upon delivery last week, Chibole said.

"I wondered why she was given the same pain killer. Could I have not done so at home?" Chibole asks.

The hospital's Medical Superintendent Austine Agevi told The Standard that he was yet to investigate the matter.

"I can't tell you anything at the moment until we have a meeting to look into the matter," he said.

Asked to confirm or deny whether the hospital had a haemoglobin test machine, he said: "We have the machines but I will also have to investigate whether they were in good working condition at the time the patient was admitted and referred out."

He said that Chesang's case was an emergency having been admitted with pains. "Referring her to another facility for a haemoglobin test was not the best approach. She could have been taken in for treatment first even if the hemoglobin test machines were not functioning," he said.

On whether there was no doctor to deal with the emergency during her 12-hour ordeal, Dr Agevi said the facility has a shortage of staff just like any other public facility.

Health Executive Peninah Mukabane said that a committee had been set up to address the matter.

"I received reports of medical negligence and we are on the case. Any medic found culpable shall be punished. We also ask people to develop a culture of seeking treatment during early hours where a complaint on non-attendance from medics can be reported and tackled quickly," she said.

A seven-man committee is already investigating the death of Mrs Akala and its report is expected later this week according to Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.