Chiromo Hospital Braeside Branch Closed Following the Death of Patient Susan Njoki
Following this revelation, the Council instructed all the patients relocated from the facility within 24 hours upon receipt of the notice of closure
KMPDC also instructed the hospital to send back a full response to the order. Photo / Citizen Digital
By Juliet Jerotich
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) has closed down Chiromo Hospital Group’s Braeside branch in Nairobi immediately after the tragic death of patient Susan Njoki, whose autopsy revealed that she was choked while undergoing treatment at the hospital.
In a formal letter to the hospital management, KMPDC Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Kariuki laid out grim findings of the inquiry that included accusations that a hospital staff member may have had a hand in the death of Njoki.
Following this revelation, the Council instructed all the patients relocated from the facility within 24 hours upon receipt of the notice of closure. All medical procedures in the Braeside branch have also been suspended indefinitely subject to further investigation.
KMPDC also instructed the hospital to send back a full response to the order, along with copies of the postmortem report and all records and documents pertaining to the patient. The hospital also needs to submit a full report describing what it has done to ensure such ghastly incidents do not occur in the future.
“This type of instructions is made under CAP 253 and Legal Notice 171, The Medical Practitioners and Dentists (Inquiry and Disciplinary Proceedings) (Procedure) Rules 2022, Rule 8, in the interest of patient welfare and restoration of confidence in healthcare services,” Dr. Kariuki explained.
A postmortem conducted by six pathologists confirmed that Susan Njoki was murdered around four hours after she had taken her last meal on Tuesday evening, a day after being taken in involuntarily into the facility.
Njoki had previously posted on social media alleging that she was sedated and taken to the mental facility by her husband, Alloise Ngure, in connivance with four medical practitioners. She had a documented history of mental illness.
The incident has also caused public outcry on a big scale, summoning calls for accountability and greater regulation of mental hospitals. Even as investigations continue, the closure of Chiromo’s Braeside branch is seen as a big push by KMPDC to safeguard patients and uphold medical integrity.
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