Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) is carrying out an investigation into the death of a 16-year-old student of Lycee Notre Dame de Citeaux, who passed away shortly after she had been admitted to the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) on January 21, The New Times has learned.
RIB Spokesperson Thierry Murangira confirmed a probe was underway to determine if any human error, or negligence, could have led to the death of the senior three female student, this coming after reports emerged on social media alleging that the school had initially denied her permission to seek proper medical attention.
The Ministry of Education also informed The New Times, in a statement, that everything unfolded on January 19 when the student complained of headache and cough.
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After being checked by the school nurse, it was found that the student had a temperature of 36 degrees celsius. On the following day, the student checked with the school nurse again and her temperature had increased to 38 degrees Celsius. She was vomiting. The nurse gave her medicine to ease the temperature and vomiting.
Later, on Sunday, the statement reads, the student joined others for studies but was still weak and her condition worsened by evening. That is when the school administration moved to call an ambulance from CHUK to transport her to the hospital and also notified the student’s parents of the emergency.
After the medical tests at CHUK, severe malaria was detected.
The ministry notes that doctors continued to provide medical care, in the presence of her parents – who had by then arrived – but, despite all efforts, she passed away on the night of January 21.
The ministry’s statement indicates that the school administration refuted the allegations that the student was denied permission to seek medical attention.
The school administration noted that it has a nurse capable of providing first aid, and the student received all the necessary care until the decision to transport her to the hospital, the eduction ministry said.
The ministry identified the deceased as Jacky Umutoni. Her parents, William Rusagara and Odette Kobusinge, are residents of Ndama cell, Karangazi sector in Nyagatare District, it added.
The New Times visited the school on Thursday.
Sister Antoinette Masengesho, the school Principal, noted that she could not speak further about the case considering that an investigation was underway. She noted that it was best to wait for the outcome of the investigation.
She said: "It's also a loss for us; we've lost a child, a student. At LNDC, we are a family, and as such, we are here for each other first, but also for the child's immediate family as much as we can.
"As for any comment on the [possible] cause of her death; we are also still shaken and waiting for the results of the ongoing investigation."