Sorry state of mental hospital shocks MPs

Chairperson of a Parliamentary Committee on Health Rachael Nyamae (left) flanked by Mathari Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Julius Ogeto during a visit in the hospital. PHOTO DAVID NJAAGA/STANDARD)

Nairobi, Kenya: A female nurse in charge of 146 mentally ill male patients, some of them hardcore criminals, in a maximum security ward. Another nurse, also female, takes care of 53 mentally ill patients, who at times assault the staff.

That’s the situation at Mathari hospital.