Contract of security firm in Pumwani scam suspended
A private company at the centre of controversy at Pumwani Maternity Hospital where is a guard is alleged to have denied a pregnant woman access to the facility to deliver has been suspended indefinitely.
Speaking at the facility during a fact-finding mission, the Senate Health Committee chaired by Trans Nzoia Senator Michael Mbito said the suspension is to allow for thorough investigations.
Hatari Security Limited has been offering security services at the hospital but the Senate Committee has called upon Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to deploy police officers and the National Youth Service (NYS) to the facility until investigations are completed.
‘The hospital management has accused the security firm but we are not convinced. We are going to record statements from the mother, security firm and the hospital in a public forum in the next seven days,’ said Mbito.
He also said the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Senate Committee will conduct separate investigation.
He said it was a shameful act for a mother to give birth in full glare of the public in a country where affordable and quality health services are guaranteed in the constitution.
On his part, Nandi Senator Simon Cherargei called upon the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute any person who will be found culpable during the incident.
‘The DPP should charge those involved in infringing the mother’s dignity and right to access health services. If the DPP will not prefer charges to them, the Committee has the powers to institute private prosecution,’ said Cherargei.
The committee also directed the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) to conduct an audit of all security private firms offering services in all hospitals to tame public harassment.
“We as the committee will also come up with a national report on the status of mothers and other patients admission protocols in hospitals to see if the harassment is across board,” he said.
NMS Chief Officer for Health Dr Ouma Oluga apologised for the unfortunate incident and said they are free to be investigated.
‘We condemn the unfortunate incident and apologise to the mother and the nation. We are open to scrutiny because we want to offer the best services,’ said Oluga.
He also urged mothers to continue seeking services at the facility adding out of 2,000 deliveries a month, there have been no such incidents.
