Medical Malpractice Spell Doom for Doctors and Hospitals.

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There is always that one medical malpractice case that hits media that reignites public concern. This often leads to the discussion of the state of medical care in a country. In the past years, most of these cases have been located at public hospitals. This often leads to the question of if medical malpractice is confined to public hospitals. It is not; even private hospitals have their fair share of these cases. Medical malpractice is not unique to Kenya.

Increased Cases of Medical Malpractice in the Country.

Medical malpractice in Kenya has been the topic of the day. These cases have been located in public hospitals and especially the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). These cases include cases such as the rape allegations at KNH, a doctor who performed brain surgery on the wrong patient. The medical stuff not giving the required attention to patients. Poor institution care. Equipment’s that do not work. These cases have occurred in the biggest referral public hospital in Kenya.

The scale is quickened by weaknesses in accountability channels. It eventually regulates remedial measures adopted to address gaps in medical procedures and implementing personnel. Of course, medical malpractice is hard to understand outside training and labor issues associated with the health ministry in Kenya. However, I want to dwell on accountability as a vital pillar to medical practice. Accountability does not necessarily reduce when better labor conditions are adopted. There is a general “what will you do?” attitude that sits at the heart of accountability questions everywhere. It is that daring person to act – a dare that is located in an acknowledgment of structural powerlessness – that must be corrected.

Sad and Horrific Narrations Residents Face in Hospital.

Ahmad and Yasmin are a middle-aged married couple from a wealthy background. Ahmad was rushed to the hospital by his wife after having a cardiac emergency. They decided to go to a private hospital to receive quality medical care. On arrival to the Agha Khan, they were administered and asked to pay administration fees. Besides, they paid an average of forty to sixty thousand shillings per night. They were, however, shocked to discover they paid for equipment that was not functional at all, including the bed. They were not receiving the services they had paid for, and it did not seem like there was much they could do.

Taking Action.

Three days later, they could not bear with the situation. They, therefore, decided to act. Yasmin went home and made a couple of calls. She then sent a brief email to the CEO’s Secretary. Two hours later, she was booked an appointment, and this lifted her spirit. She went with high hope that finally, something good would come out of this. She wasn’t going to claim anything but to express the horrific realities back in the hospital.

“Look, CCU heart patient, this is wrong. There is a type of care that is expected. A standard measure of care that is required in every hospital,” Yasmin said.

However, their hopes were immediately shuttered when the CEO walked in with a hostile mood. She expected to see a CEO that represented the hospital, but this was quite different. However, she expressed her grievances that with an emergency case, it took almost twenty minutes to get a bed. To her surprise, things took a turn very fast to the worst.

“He lashed out and shouted at them about how private doctors don’t have a right, and it’s privileged for them to practice in the hospital like that,” she lamented.

The Truth is Revealed.

Earlier this year, a blogger whose identity he chooses to hide published disturbing images. These pictures contained a conversation between hospital Heads and the medical staff from the Nairobi Hospital. The conversation was revolving around the administration fee. They talked of how they could navigate and exploit patients by making them go through the worst. They insisted on how patients should continue staying despite recovery by giving them false information about their progress. Others who were dead were still put under life support machine for a day or so to increase charges.

These conversations were steered by managers and directors, people who were at the top ranks. Surprisingly, the people who are expected to lead are the ones who are taking part in and steering these illegal activities. They do this despite the support they receive from the government, which is 80%. The blogger reveals even deeper secrets with evidence that he got from his private sources. He also says that this is is just a drop in the ocean, and the hospitals that were highlighted are just but a few.

“The hospitals that were highlighted were just but a few, the health sector has a much bigger problem,” he reveals.

However, among all these, very little has been done concerning these accusations. Penalties for these quacks are very lenient, yet they do the most damage to people. Patients continue to suffer in the hands of these “trained medical workers.”