The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Nakuru is probing the mysterious death of an intern doctor at the Margaret Kenyatta Mother and Baby Maternity wing of the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital, Nakuru.
According to a statement issued by the Nakuru County Executive Member for Health Services, Roselyn Mungai, the body of the medic was discovered in the trenches outside the maternity wing around 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 07.
Mungai mentioned that the body, later moved to the hospital morgue by the police, displayed no physical injuries, and the personal items of the deceased remained intact.
“The individual whose name we cannot divulge still had his phone in his pocket at the time of discovery,” stated the CECM. The deceased, identified as one of the medical officer interns serving the hospital since August 2023, prompted regrets from the County Government of Nakuru.
The medic was later on identified as one Dr. Langat.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to the family, friends, and the entire hospital fraternity for the tragic loss.
The family has been notified, and both the DCI and the police are actively investigating the matter to determine the exact cause of death.
Doctors union issues demands of houses for staff
In related news, The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has called for hospitals to provide housing within their premises for medical staff members.
In a letter signed by KMPDU CEO Davji Bhimji, the union also demanded increased security measures within medical facilities, particularly for medical interns.
“This unfortunate incident underscores the pressing need for heightened security measures within medical facilities. We demand that county governments and hospital management prioritize the safety of healthcare workers, particularly medical interns. It is imperative that hospitals adhere to KMPDC and PPB rules, including providing secure housing within hospital premises for medical interns,” the letter reads in part.
KMPDU emphasized that the safety of healthcare workers is crucial for delivering quality patient care and maintaining the integrity of the healthcare system. The union called for a swift and thorough investigation by the DCI to establish the cause of the intern’s death.
“The loss of a young doctor like Dr. Langat is a devastating blow to our healthcare system. He represented the future of our profession, and his tragic demise reverberates through the entire medical fraternity,” added KMPDU.
