Health executives suspended over negligence
The suspension of the top health department official by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has worried the medical staff at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital.
The health executive and 15 other people were placed on administrative leave in order to facilitate investigations into the death of a patient who was reportedly neglected at the hospital.
Fear spread among the staff as a five-person investigation team sent by the governor tented at the facility.
Following the uproar surrounding the passing of educator Nancy Kipchumba Birgen, Governor Sang took this action.
Ruth Koech, director of health services, Fredrick Kiptum, David Bungei, and Dr. Aiyabei Ismail, medical director of Kapsabet County Referral Hospital, are among those who have been suspended.
Twelve other medical personnel who were on duty at the time of the incident were also suspended.
On the governor’s directives, letters were signed by the county secretary Francis Sang suspending the four top officials. Health executives suspended over negligence.
According to Sang, the patient’s death has caused outrage throughout the county.
Kipchumba’s family said she sought care at the hospital on May 19, 2023, where she allegedly was handled improperly, during her burial a week ago. After that, she was sent to the Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she passed away.
The death was attributed by the kin on hospital staff at Kapsabet being careless.
In a news release, Sang stated that “questions have been raised regarding the veracity of these allegations, including the standard of care provided to the deceased.”
He said a committee had been formed to look into how the patient was treated at the Kapsabet hospital, and that committee would be led by Dr. Daniel Chepsiror of Moi Referral.
Dr. David Kiprop, Lucy Chepkwony, Henry Rutto, and Karen Maritim are further members of the investigation team.
Sang gave the team the job of investigating the part played and any shortcomings attributable to the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital’s administration and staff. The team has been given 14 days by the governor to submit a report.
In addition, four officers have been selected by the governor to fill the positions of those who have been suspended.
Those appointed include Dr. Richard Chepkwony as acting director of medical affairs, Carolyne Lagat as acting chief officer for health, and Dr. Philemon Buret as acting executive for health and Dr Emmanuel Ruto to act as medical superintendent at the Kapsabet referral hospital.
