Africa-Press – Kenya. An intern doctor at the Kitale County Referral Hospital in Trans Nzoia is being investigated for allegedly conning a patient Sh195,131.
The patient, Jimmy Maleya was admitted to the hospital on August 8 and placed under the care of the intern doctor.
Maleya’s father, Levi Karani (77), told the Star that his daughter Terry Karani exchanged phone contacts with the medical officer to enable her keep tabs on her brother’s recovery since she was to fly out of the country.
“My daughter asked the medical officer to take good care of her brother as she was travelling to the US. She exchanged contacts with him for consultative purposes regarding his medication,” Karani said.
The patient had been accompanied to the hospital by his elderly parents, his wife and the sister.
The medical officer is said to have taken advantage of the trust placed in him by the patient’s sister and obtained the Sh195,131 from her by false pretense.
He reportedly requested for a special drug for the patient which he claimed was to be flown from Nairobi.
“He asked me to send him money to purchase an antifungal drug which he said could not be found in Kitale. He was to personally pick it up in Nairobi,” Terry told the Star via phone.
In Whatsap messages that were presented at the Kitale police station as evidence, the intern is said to have kept on demanding for money.
Terry kept sending the money in the believe that she was rescuing her brother.
“We realised that some games were being played and immediately approached the hospital’s medical superintendent who told us we had been conned by the intern and advised us to formally report the matter to the police,” Karani said.
The family reported the incident at the Kitale police station.
Karani said the police promised to have the intern brought to book after investigations are completed.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jacinta Wesonga said thorough investigations are ongoing.
“The family has recorded statements and an inquest file has been opened. We will dispense justice to the aggrieved,” she said.
Trans Nzoia County executive committee Member of health Claire Wanyama said a disciplinary committee had been formed to investigate the incident which she termed as unethical.
“We have a committee that is closely working with the police to investigate the matter. Action will definitely be taken against the officer,” she said.
The Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) where the intern is claimed to be a student denied having such a student in the University register.
“We have no students on internship. The University is not aware of such , let whoever has found himself in such a situation face the full force of law,” a lecturer who sought anonymity told the Star.
He added that doctors and clinical officers normally go through internship once they complete their studies and are posted by the ministry of health and the county health department .
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