A nurse in Nairobi sustained minor injuries on her face after she was allegedly attacked by couple who wanted their ailing child released without clearing medical bill.
It is reported Ahmed Adan and his wife Nasra Mohammed visited Nairobi South Hospital on Tuesday, January 1, and descended on Pauline Muraya with a sword inflicting deep cut on her temple.
This was after the couple demanded immediate discharge without signing a form needed to discharge a patient before time.
The form is issued when patients leaves the health facility against the advice of a medical expert before end of a recommended period.
Muraya insisted the patient's parents must sign to authorise the discharge.
The security personnel were alerted then arrested the two attackers and took them to Akilla Police Station.
By time of publishing this story, the police were still holding Adan and his wife awaiting to charged in court.
Violence on health workers is not acceptable under whatever circumstances.— Dr. Ouma Oluga (@fnoluga) January 1, 2019
We will take very strong legal action against these characters who transfer their pain to workers.
Work places must be safe for health professionals.
We totally condemn in the strongest terms. pic.twitter.com/ixDvdkt7Lr
Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists' Union Ouma Oluga condemned the attack on innocent caregivers.
Oluga called on the the government to ensure safety of any health worker.
"Violence on health workers is not acceptable under whatever circumstances. We will take very strong legal action against these characters who transfer their pain to workers. Work places must be safe for health professionals. We totally condemn in the strongest terms," he tweeted.
Though the government has not addressed cases of violence at heath facilities, attack against medics have been reported in the recent past.
On Saturday, October 13, a woman assaulted and strangled a nurse at the Kenyatta National Hospital upon receiving news of her son's death.
Pauline (the assulted nurse) recorded a statement with the police this Evening.She was in the company of NNAK chair man mr/ @AlfredObengo and her family.#justiceforPaulleta pic.twitter.com/eK1B3cs3pV— All kenya Nurses (@AllkenyaNurseS) January 1, 2019