Investigate the doctors and nurses of Nyagatare hospital

Editor, A senior three student at Nyagatare Secondary School was on a motor bike returning to school after the holidays when he was unfortunately involved in an accident. He was immediately rushed to Nyagatare hospital for first aid after sustaining critical facial and head injuries.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Editor,

A senior three student at Nyagatare Secondary School was on a motor bike returning to school after the holidays when he was unfortunately involved in an accident. He was immediately rushed to Nyagatare hospital for first aid after sustaining critical facial and head injuries.

In my experience, as some one who once had a similar patient at the hospital, such victims are always taken to the hospital’s intensive care wards for oxygen and blood injection.

Honestly speaking, this young boy was over bleeding. He deserved an intensive care ward where oxygen and blood could at least help him.

But to my disappointment, when I arrived at the hospital late that night, I found that none of the services were offered to the student.

Every one I found in surgeon ward was complaining that the student was not be given full attention by doctors.

An elderly man, in his late 60’s who was also hospitalized next to the boy’s bed in surgeon ward told me Nyagatare doctors’ are normally negligent and the boy should have been given a transfer.

At around 10 p.m., my friend and I realized the young boy was quickly losing blood. We approached the nurse on night duty to intervene. Unfortunately, the nurse was said to be taking a shower.

When she eventually came, all she did was chase us out of the ward and when we requested for a transfer, she responded sarcastically and told us not to advise her on what to do.  

Don’t people have rights to communicate to doctors and nurses on issues related to their patients?

Sadly, the student died on the second day.

Why didn’t the doctors and nurses at Nyagatare hospital offer this innocent boy an immediate transfer if they had failed to treat him?

The hospital’s administration, Medical Association of Rwanda and the Line Ministry should investigate the death of the young student and report the findings to the public.

That is the least that can be done at the moment.

If found guilty, the doctors and nurse involved must be brought to Justice.

DN

deave204@yahoo.com