Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has cleared the air on the circumstances that led to the death of a baby admitted to the facility with a fork jembe lodged in his head.
KNH stated in a detailed statement that they did everything possible to save the boy from the time he was admitted to the hospital until he was pronounced dead.
According to KNH, the boy arrived at the facility around 6:30 p.m. and was met at the emergency section.
However, the facility claims that the circumstances surrounding the boy’s injury are unknown to them.
The facility then stated that they had begun investigations to determine the safest management approach to his condition.
KNH said a preliminary assessment of the situation established that the boy’s brain had been affected.
“Clinical examinations and investigations on the patient, including CT scans and a blood test, confirmed penetrating injury into the brain, brain swelling with ongoing bleeding and possible infection,” the statement read.
“Additionally, the ability of his blood to clot was impaired, requiring correction before any surgical intervention. A process of correcting the detected anomalies by giving blood products and medication, while monitoring the patient’s response was immediately commenced.”
According to the statement, by 8 a.m. on October 11, the blood deficit and clotting had become acceptable, and doctors decided to proceed with the object removal.
“In theatre, the patient developed complications and resuscitations attempts were futile,” the statement read.
The baby was referred to the hospital on Monday after a recommendation from the Thika Level 5 Hospital where he was initially rushed. However, the circumstances that led to the stuck object in his head remain vague.
The facility’s management has since conveyed a message of condolence to the family of the deceased baby.
