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The National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNA-Kenya) has condemned the attack on a nurse at Port Victoria Hospital in Busia.
In a viral video clip, an unidentified woman and man were seen harassing hospital staff over what they termed as failure to attend to a patient who had trouble breathing.
The individuals are heard threatening to call one "Ababu".
In a statement dated Thursday, January 4, the Association President Collins Ajwang' called out the act meted on the healthcare giver, terming it unfortunate.
"The provocative savage attack on a nurse allegedly by a relative of a politician was heinous, extreme, and uncalled for in totality," said Ajwang'.
"We inform our members that the individual involved in the abusive altercation is not a student nurse. We have since established that the offender is a Theatre technician student, attached to KUTRRH Theatre on rotation and listed as a student from Nairobi Women's Hospital.”
The woman captured in the video was heard saying: “I have a right, let me call Ababu, this is how you kill people here.”
The Nairobi Women's Hospital has identified the female perpetrator as Vanessa Ogema, a student enrolled in the Theatre Technology program and awaiting graduation.
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Reports allege that the two individuals had brought a patient, allegedly intoxicated, to the facility and demanded immediate attention, even before other patients who were waiting in line.
Netizens have since linked Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba to the incident, though unconfirmed that he was the “Ababu” being referred to.
The CS on Thursday however distanced himself from the perpetrators.
“The actions associated with me do not align with my values or commitment to public service. I unequivocally condemn any behavior against principles of integrity. I am thoroughly investigating these allegations and will take decisive actions to rectify any wrongdoing,” he posted.
The Nurses Association has further called on authorities to take immediate action on the said culprits as it seeks measures to mitigate the damage caused to the assaulted nurse.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah has also condemned the incident calling for legal action on the perpetrators.
“This is rudimentary, illegal, and immoral. The attitude and actions of politicians and their cronies to threaten healthcare workers at their place of work should be curtailed. The safety of healthcare workers is threatened in such facilities. The perpetrators of this heinous act should be brought to book urgently,” stated Atellah.
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