Mama Lucy hospital found culpable in pregnant woman's death

Robert Sakar, the husband of Maureen Anyango, before the Senate Committee on Health. Anyango died while delivering twins at the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

"By the time Anyango was received at Kiambu hospital, she was unconscious and her condition was critical," the report reads.

It was also noted that Mama Lucy Hospital had attempted to secure an ICU bed at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Kenyatta University Hospital. However, this proved futile owing to the lack of a bed in KNH, and the requirement by KU Hospital for a deposit of Sh200, 000.

The committee noted that prioritising monetary security before the admission of a patient and the provision of emergency care was against the law.

For these reasons, the committee, among its recommendations, stated that Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital be investigated by relevant health regulatory bodies and that the facility be sanctioned for failure to provide emergency care treatment.

The senators recommended that the facility's Obstetrician/Gynaecologist be investigated by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) for submitting false evidence before the committee.

The report will now be dispatched to the Ministry of Health, the county government, the Council of Governors, the Kenya Bureau of Standards and the National Police Service for purposes of implementing the recommendations within three months' time.

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