The current global warming, poor diets, drought, ignorance etc, are taking their toll on many people's health today. The proliferation of private clinics, some run by quacks, is a clear reflection of health status of our society. Unfortunately, many desperate people who seek medical help in these clinics become victims of misdiagnosis and wrong medical prescriptions. This sometimes leads to worsening of a patient's condition or even death.
Family Media has been conducting a research on cases of misdiagnosis and negligence and the misery they have caused the victims. Susan Mwongeli, the ‘Family Doctor' host, has been out and about talking to victims and the following are some real stories she filed.
Recently, a young woman went to a district hospital to give birth. However, when she got to hospital, there was no available doctor or qualified health official to attend to her and she was told to wait despite being in great pain. As she waited she could feel the baby kicking but it wasn't coming out.
After waiting for about 10 hours, the doctor finally showed up and delivered her twins, Brian and Kevin. Unfortunately, by that time the twins had given up the battle. They immediately started experiencing complications. After several delayed developmental milestones the children were diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a medical condition caused by permanent brain injury that occurs before, during, or shortly after birth.
There are many causes of brain damage; one of the most common is when a baby is deprived of oxygen during labour and delivery for whatever reason. The baby may develop asphyxia which may lead to cerebral palsy. This woman blames doctors' negligence for her children's condition.
This is just but one of the many cases of people that are suffering as a result of doctors' negligence. For example, a woman at one of the leading hospitals in the country is currently confined to a wheel chair after she was paralyzed when a doctor gave her an injection containing the wrong medication. Last year in Mombasa , a lady's limb was amputated because of a doctor's negligence Do you have a similar experience? ‘Family Doctor' is giving you and opportunity to tell us your tale. For your story send us an email on familydoctor@familykenya.com
