One-day-old baby sustains burns at a private hospital

Dennis Murimi, the father of a one-day-old baby who burned inside an incubator. [Muriithi Mugo, Standard]

A one-day baby has been transferred to a hospital in Nairobi for specialised treatment after sustaining burns in a private health facility.

The incident that happened at Queens and Kings Hospital in Siakago, Mbeere, Embu County left the baby with severe burns on the arm, chest and head according to the family.

Dennis Murimi, the father of the baby said he found the baby burned when he came to visit his wife Regina Wambura, 20, who was recuperating at the private health facility after delivery.

He said that they suspected negligence on the part of the hospital leading to the unfortunate incidence whose details are scanty.

Unattended incubator

“The baby was left at an incubator for a long period unattended leading to the burns,” Murimi said.

Rukia Wanjiru, who is an aunt to the baby said the hospital had accepted liability and promised to cater for all the medical expenses and treatment at the hospital in Nairobi.

"We are happy with the management’s decision to deal with the medical costs but the baby's mother Regina Wambura is deeply traumatised,” said Rukia.

Rukia said the baby was in deep pain and that's the reason they asked the management to take the baby to Nairobi for specialised treatment.

Moses Njue, the hospital administrator said the hospital management was investigating the matter and will take disciplinary action against any personnel found culpable.

“Our quality control team is investigating the matter to find out if there was personnel negligence or the machine failed,” Njue noted

While confirming that the hospital will take care of the medical expenses, Nyaga apologised to the family and assured them the hospital was keen to establish the cause of the accident.