Bungoma:A family in Bungoma is seeking answers following the death of their three-year-old daughter during a tonsil operation at a private children’s hospital. The procedure, which began as a routine check-up according to her father, resulted in tragedy.
According to Kenya News Agency, the child, Leila Mutenyo, died during an adenotonsillectomy at Bungoma Children’s Hospital. Her father, Johnson Wafula, expressed the need for clarity on how the routine check-up led to surgery and ultimately, her passing. The family is questioning the sequence of events and whether all necessary precautions were in place before the anesthesia was administered.
The hospital attributed the death to sudden cardiac arrest during the operation. Dr. Dickens Lubanga, the hospital’s director, stated that a post-mortem examination, conducted with a pathologist appointed by the family, confirmed cardiac arrest as the primary cause of death. The hospital plans to conduct a comprehensive internal review using the post-mortem findings and medical records to understand the incident completely.
Dr. Lubanga offered condolences to the family, acknowledging the profound tragedy of losing a young child. He emphasized that established clinical protocols were followed during the procedure, which was conducted by an experienced medical team. This team included a senior Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon with over 20 years of experience and an anesthesiologist from a national referral hospital.
Adenotonsillectomy is a common pediatric surgery in Kenya, often performed for recurrent tonsillitis or breathing difficulties. Despite its frequency, it carries risks, including reactions to anesthesia and cardiac complications, highlighting the importance of pre-operative assessment.
Dr. Lubanga assured that the hospital would cooperate with regulatory authorities and investigative agencies to ensure transparency and aid the family in understanding the events leading to their daughter’s death. He reiterated the hospital’s commitment to patient safety and support for the grieving family in finding closure.
