Doctor, four nurses suspended in Mwanza over infant’s death
What you need to know:
Nyamagani district authorities crack the whip against negligent medical officers following the death of an infant at a local hospital
Mwanza. A doctor and four nurses at the Nyamagana district hospital in Mwanza have been suspended following the death of an infant during birth. The five are being accused of negligence.
The public servants were suspended by the Nyamagana District Commissioner Phillis Nyimbi who said they had been negligent and dishonest.
Ms Nyimbi said here Wednesday November 7, 2018 that the hospital workers were on duty on the fateful day, November 3, 2018, when the infant died during birth.
According to the DC, there has been increased complaints by members of the pubic against personnel at the medical facility.
"We have received so many claims against the officials. Not only nurses’ misbehaviour, but also of doctors soliciting and receiving bribes," said Ms Nyimbi.
The DC said the hospital has also not been receipting patients using the electronic payment system as required. She said pregnant mothers seeking services there were most affected.
The mother of the infant who died claimed she pleaded for help from nurses on duty as her delivery time approached to no avail. She said fellow women in the ward helped her deliver but due to a complication, the infant died in the process.
The medical officer of health for the district Juma Mpanga said they are trying to ensure that health workers adhered to professionalism. He reported that since January, 56 mothers and more than 500 infants have died during birth in the area.
