Monday, June 3rd 2013, By Isaiah Lucheli
Nairobi, Kenya: The Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board has flexed its muscles by deregistering a doctor accused of leaving a patient with an open belly following an operation during childbirth.
A tribunal chaired by University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor George Magoha also directed that a doctor based at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital undergoes retraining for failing to observe both written and unwritten rules of the medical profession in the management of a patient.
Professional ethics
Dr Jackson Mutinda of Nairobi Women’s Hospital was sent back to school and placed on probation for failing to observe professional ethics. Board chief executive officer Daniel Yumbya confirmed that a letter had been dispatched to the DPP asking him to investigate the doctor and institute any necessary legal proceedings against him.
Yumbya said that Nairobi Women’s Hospital had complied with the orders issued by the tribunal, which included putting in place standard operating procedures for patients’ monitoring and observation.
Joyce Muhanji Khatioli, a sister of Fanice Mebo Kashindi who died at the women’s hospital, had lodged a complaint against Dr Mutinda accusing him of professional negligence in the way he had handled the deceased.
“The tribunal finds that Dr John Njoroge, head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Thika hospital and Dr Peter Njoroge, who was head of Anesthesia, failed to undertake their clinical duties and roles as expected of their level of seniority,” the board ruled.
Regarding the Thika Level Five Hospital where the alleged negligence occurred, the board noted that upon careful examination of the complaint lodged, the evidence presented to the tribunal found the two senior doctors liable.
The board shall also be at liberty to make such further orders, as it may deem necessary after inspection of the hospital. Charges preferred against Dr Jonah Mwangi, who is the medical superintendent of the hospital, included allowing the institution to be run and operated in a way that contributed to the death of the late Josephine Wanjugu.
Failed to supervise
The doctor was also accused of failing to supervise and manage interns and staff posted to the institution as was expected, which contributed to the death. In its findings, the tribunal ordered that Mwangi set mechanisms to negotiate a settlement with the complainant, and thereafter report to the board the progress in 90 days.
It also ordered that the hospital puts in place proper systems
to ensure that standard operating procedures are developed and
implemented. Dr Mwangi was further directed to put in place and document
systems to ensure consultants working at the hospital undertake their
ethical supervisory and teaching duties.
The superintendent will also have to report to the board within 30 days to confirm compliance of the orders issued.
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