Africa-Press – Kenya. The government, through the Ministry of Health, has vowed to take stern action against the health facility where Lucy Wambui reportedly died following a botched cosmetic surgery.
In a statement on Friday, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni revealed that an investigation had already been initiated by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) to examine the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.
PS Muthoni further added that a team of experts was dispatched to the Nairobi Hospital to conduct a fact-finding mission aimed at assessing whether the necessary professional standards were met during the cosmetic procedure before Lucy’s death.
“The Ministry of Health has received with deep concern the report of Lucy Wambui’s tragic passing following complications from a surgical procedure at a Nairobi hospital. Any evidence of malpractice or deviation from established norms will be addressed with appropriate action, in line with applicable laws,” the Ministry of Health affirmed.
The Health PS, through the State Department for Professional Standards, went ahead to affirm her commitment to ensuring skilled health workers were well equipped with the competencies necessary for delivering high-quality care.
According to the Ministry of Health, robust frameworks were already in place to regulate healthcare services, uphold ethical standards, protect consumers, and foster public trust in health services.
While addressing the matter, the government urged Kenyans to verify the credentials of healthcare providers and facilities. “Please confirm the status of medical practitioners by sending a free SMS to 20547 using the format: P#Doctor’s Name, or to check a hospital, H#Hospital Name,” the ministry directed Kenyans.
PS Muthoni’s statement followed hours after a Lavington-based medical facility distanced itself from any wrongdoing but maintained that the woman indeed visited the hospital to undergo plastic surgery.
Despite dismissing the allegations, the facility was closed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to pave the way for investigations. However, the hospital owners through their lawyer Danstan Omari applied to stop the closure.
The owners of the facility in their application argued that the hospital was fully registered and was compliant with all regulatory requirements. According to lawyer Danstan Omarai, the facility was fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and surgeons.
“It is a registered medical facility certified as a hospital-level 3. It has all the requisite medical licenses and doctors’ practising certificates. It has been in operation for almost 10 years. To have qualified to become a hospital, they went through rigorous vetting,” Omari stated.
The hospital owners further argued that the order to shut down the medical centre was unconstitutional, irrational, and unreasonable and that it had led to abrupt disruption of their activities.
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