Makueni County Referral Hospital on the spot over botched dental surgery

Makueni County Referral Hospital is on the spot over a dental surgery that went wrong.

According to a patient who sought services at the facility in the year 2021, negligence from medics who attended to her during a tooth extraction exposed her to risks that almost cost her life, and she had to undergo other surgeries to rectify the mess.

Everlyn Kamanthe visited the Makueni County Referral Hospital on October 27, 2021 where a dentist recommended tooth removal.

After the tooth extraction process, she was given medication, but her situation became worse. This affected the lower jaw which started swelling due to an infection. The procedure almost cost her life.

“Meno ikatolewa na nikapewa dawa za kumeza but bado ilikuwa na uvimbe painful..ikawa hata siwezi kula au kupitisha kitu hiyo side….sasa hapo penye imetolewa kukaanza kuwa na uvimbe na panatoka usaha…muscles za hiyo side zikaaacha kufanya kazi kabisaa,” Everlyn narrates.

Upon further consultation with the dental department at the facility, she was referred to a hospital in Nairobi for specialized treatment.

“Daktari akakuja kuniambia mahali imefika itabidi tutoe nyama iende Kenyatta…nikamuuliza kwa nini akasema itabidi nilipe Ksh.20,000 tufanye hivyo na akasema lazima nitatolewa lower jaw sababu imekuwa afffected…nikamuuliza ‘daktari wewe ndio ulining’oa meno na mbona hukuniambia kuhusu hii infection?” Akasema yeye alifanya kazi yake…na hakuna kitu ingine,” adds Everlyn.

The unfortunate events cost her marriage as she was chased out of her matrimonial home. She mobilized funds and underwent surgery to remove the infected lower jaw. She awaits a third surgery - grafting.

“Nilipatana na mtu akanisaidia kufanya surgey Megalife hospital…sasa sahii nangojea mfupa itolewe hapa kwa pelvic niwekewe artificial jaw ndio sasa itaekwa meno,” she says.

Officials at the dental department at Makueni Referral Hospital say they did their best during the first surgery.

Dr. Saul Nyambane, a dental surgeon at the facility, says: “We attended to the patient and took her through the treatment process, but at some point she disappeared and came back with a complaint of negligence on the part of our hospital…we took her through the diagnosis once again and referred her to Nairobi Dental Hospital…she was later diagnosed with a bone tumor.”

Officials at the facility say they are ready to re-evaluate the dental situation and are willing to collaborate and ensure the best for their patient.

“After investigation and treatment there, there were plans to undergo surgery, after that the patient has not gone back to the hospital again…we advise the patient to come back and we will go through the process again,” added Dr. Nyambane.