Nairobi, KENYA: Kenya National Union of Nurses( KNUN), has dismissed a report by Director of Medical Services Dr. Jackson Kioko who doubles as the registrar of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board (KMPDB) and the Pharmacist and Poisons Board, citing the report as doctored in favor of his colleagues.
The union alleges to have learned from social media that KMPDB had released a report on the KNH surgery mix-up exonerating the doctors involved and placing the errors squarely on one of the nurses who was on duty.
In a press briefing on Tuesday in Nairobi, KNUN secretary general Seth Panyako, said that Dr. Kioko should be investigated on why he doctored the report sneaked alone to the media and purported to blame the nurse.
“Dr. Kioko should produce the actual report that was agreed upon by the three regulatory bodies because what he released to media was a report he doctored in favour of his colleagues.” Said Panyako.
Panyako called the mix-up at Kenyatta Hospital as a systematic failure that must be logically addressed instead of apportioning blame on one nurse.
He also highlighted the need for addressing the staff shortages, equipment, and workers professional participation, congestion, drugs, operation and discharge procedures in order to enhance smooth working conditions at the public hospitals.
The outspoken KNUN secretary General has also termed KMPDB as a body that has no mandate and legal framework or authority to purport to be investigating nurses and passing verdicts.
“ On the same strength the union challenges the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK) to state whether it can summon a doctor to appear before it and if not why are nurses appearing before KMPDB?” He questioned.
Last week, the board absolved Dr. Hudson Ng’ang’a and Dr. Mose Moraa, but indicted nurse Mary Wahome, saying her competence must be put to test by the Nursing Council.
MPs disputed the report, saying it was highly skewed to favour doctors.
Wajir West MP Mohamud Mohamed said the committee will not accept reports blindly.
“The exoneration of doctors seems to be coming out too loud. All my colleagues are concerned by this,” he said.
“Everyone who has come into contact with the patient bears responsibility for whatever happens to the patient.” he added.
Committee chair and Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege said since the board was created, it has cleared nearly all doctors accused of misconduct.
Only 71 cases are still being investigated, including the KNH brain surgery mix-up.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists’ Board has said it will conduct another probe into the surgery next month.
The medics will know the decision on April 10, when results of the next probe will be released.
