By JUMA KWAYERA
NAIROBI; KENYA: Consulting doctors at the Kenyatta National Hospital have been accused of accelerating the loss of lives.
However, the management is positive the situation at the hospital is on the mend following the reconstitution of the previously moribund medical advisory board that will enforce discipline and professionalism among specialists.
It is believed the absence of the board—an ad hoc peer review committee—created room for discretionary decision-making that impacted on if, when and how patients referred to the hospital would recover.
Senior officials of the Kenyatta National Hospital Nurses Union detailed how their seniors abdicate duty for weeks or even months. The worst affected are the orthopaedic unit, surgical and medical on fifth, sixth and seventh floors.
Ironically, doctors designated as consultants are some of the best-paid public servants, earning a minimum of Sh300,000 per month. The premium salaries are supposed to cushion them against the lure of private practice.
Asked about allegations of how consultants abdicate duty leaving patients in the care of registrars (post-graduate medicine students) and overworked nurses, the hospital’s chief executive, Dr Simeon Monda, said errant consultants are gradually being kicked out by the Medical Advisory Board.
“We are not perfect. There have been some institutional weaknesses that we are already addressing. However, the running of the hospital cannot be streamed without the support of the government and the public. When doctors and other staff are accused of not working, we must also raise questions about how the same doctors are equipped to efficiently discharge services,” Dr Monda said.
Rotten eggs
His predecessor, Mr Richard Lesiyampe kicked a storm when he charged that there exists a vicious cartel of rogue medical personnel who are ready to kill if their crimes are exposed. Mr Lesiyampe told his audience during the handover to Dr Monda that he had been threatened with “dire” consequences every time he contemplated disciplining errant consultants, whom he likened to a brotherhood.
Asked about Lesiyampe’s fears, Dr Monda conceded the presence of the some “rotten eggs” among his charges, but pointed out that their days were numbered.
“Mr Lesiyampe scratched just the surface. He was subjected to the threats because he was tapped from outside the medical profession. Since I have a strong background in the profession, I have already signalled I will decisively deal with misconduct. Anything short of that will be punished,” Dr Monda said.
Lesiyampe, now Principal Secretary for Environment, recalled how he was met with resistance from some senior doctors who were used to making money from private practice.
