Infant with burn injuries on the verge of losing legs
Nurses take part in protests at the railway grounds, Nakuru, on June 14,2017. A four-month-old boy in Kuresoi North, Nakuru County is on the verge of losing his legs following the nurses’ strike. PHOTO | JOHN NJOROGE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The baby, who has severe burns on his legs, has been enduring pain for two weeks since he and his mother were discharged from Nakuru Level Five Hospital.
- The baby was injured two months ago when his two-year-old brother lit a match box on the mattress, where he was sleeping.
A four-month-old boy in Kuresoi North, Nakuru County is on the verge of losing his legs following the nurses’ strike that enters its third week on Tuesday.
The baby, who has severe burns on his legs, has been enduring pain for two weeks since he and his mother were discharged from Nakuru Level Five Hospital.
According to his mother, Ms Theresia Wangari, the baby was injured two months ago when his two-year-old brother lit a match box on the mattress, where he was sleeping.
“I was out to buy kales when I heard neighbours screaming. I rushed to find my mattress on fire and my baby burnt,” she said.
DISCHARGE LETTER
Ms Wangari said she rushed the baby to Molo sub-county Hospital but was sent to the referral hospital.
She was admitted with her son, who was kept on close watch until June 8, when she received a discharge letter.
“The doctors told me he had to go to theatre, but when the nurses downed their tools, they said they could no longer perform any surgery in the hospital,” she said.
“My husband is a casual labourer who makes a maximum of Sh200 daily. We can’t afford treatment at a private hospital.
Siaya county Knun secretary Mr Sylvester Ngâanda (centre) leads over 400 nurses in Siaya County in a peaceful demonstration on July 19, 2017. PHOTO | NELCON ODHIAMBO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The wounds are severe and on one of the legs, a bone is protruding. Doctors said he needs immediate surgery but I cannot raise money,” she added.
STAY AWAY
Meanwhile, nurses have vowed to stay away from work until their pay deal is signed, even as governors threaten to take drastic measures against them.
Officials of nurses’ union said they will not return to work until the deal is signed.
“No amount of intimidations, blackmailing or hoodwinking will water down our resolve to push for the CBA,” said the union’s Secretary-General Seth Panyako.
And in Vihiga, nurses condemned the decision by governors to withhold monthly subscription fees to Knun.
The nurses, through the union’s branch secretary Caleb Maloba said the move was aimed at crippling the union.
Additional reporting by Derick Luvega
