Outcry as Kitengela hospital accused of neglecting mother carrying dead foetus

Kitengela Sub-County Level Four Hospital is under scrutiny after allegedly failing to assist a young mother whose unborn child died in the womb.

The woman, identified as Abigael Mutubula, says she went to the facility on Thursday while expectant. Tests later confirmed that the foetus had died in the womb.

Abigael said since then, doctors at the hospital have failed to offer her proper medical help, even as her condition continued to worsen.

When Citizen TV visited the facility, Abigael was found in distress outside the hospital gate.

She alleged that despite repeated visits to the facility, doctors failed to remove the dead foetus, putting her life at risk. She noted that she has spent three days seeking help from one department to another without success.

“I came to this hospital expecting to deliver my baby. After the tests, they told me the baby had died, but after that, nothing was done to help me,” said Abigael.

She says although doctors induced labour, no further medical intervention was offered, leaving her in pain and emotional distress.

“They induced labour and left me like that. I have been suffering since then,” she noted.

Citizen TV crew followed her back into the hospital, but she was locked out of the maternity ward despite her worsening condition. At the gate, nurses and security guards confronted her, with little regard for her state.

“She has been coming here since Thursday, but no one is willing to help her. We have pleaded with them, but they keep sending her away,” said Esther Neema, a family member.

Following media intervention, Abigael was eventually admitted. In a phone interview, hospital management said they were taking steps to address her condition and provide the necessary care.

“We have now admitted her and doctors are handling the matter,” said Francis Olibe, a family friend.

Such scenes highlight the challenges facing public health facilities across the country. Many Kenyans continue to endure similar conditions with limited options for redress, even as authorities make promises that often remain unmet.