Early this year, the High Court ordered two hospitals in Nairobi to compensate two patients for negligence on brain surgery and a perforated uterus. Away from Nairobi, 70-year-old Kiguta (not real name) walks into a clinic to have his eyes checked; he is not blind. Wrong prescription of drugs, unregistered and unlicensed medical facilities, as well as untrained health workers, are other factors contributing to rising cases of injuries and deaths associated with medical negligence. This contravenes citizens’ right to the highest attainable standards of health as enshrined in article 43(1a) of the Constitution. Loss of lives due to medical negligence cannot be justified.

Source: The Star April 15, 2019 21:00 UTC