Trans Nzoia: 21-Year-Old Woman Dies During Delivery Amid Alleged Medical Negligence

• 21-year-old Ashley Aluoch died at Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital in Trans Nzoia after a stillbirth, with her family alleging medical negligence
• The family claims Ashley was left unattended for over 34 hours and lacked timely access to blood transfusion, despite a nearby blood satellite facility
• County health officials have denied any negligence, stating the patient was attended by a team of medics and that a maternal audit will be conducted

TUKO.co.ke journalist Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

A family in Tuwan estate on the outskirts of Kitale town in Trans Nzoia County is mourning the passing on of their 21-year old daughter, Ashley Aluoch.

Aluoch, who was due for delivery in two weeks died at Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital due to alleged medical negligence after admission.

When she was examined, it was established that Ashley had lost her foetus and she need urgent induced labour.

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After still birth, Ashley needed three pints of blood which was not available at the facility.

Kitale blood satellite domiciled at Doctors' Plaza is less than three kilometres from the incomplete referral hospital.

Douglas Mafabi, father to Ashley said her daughter was admitted to the hospital and left unattended for about 34 hours.

"My daughter was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday and she died due to absolute negligence. Had she been attended in good time, we could not be talking about this story now," Madabi narrated in great pain.

Residents protest over expectant woman's death

Following her death, angry residents of Tuwan and Mitume estates stormed into the level IV hospital demanding answers from the management.

Responding to the allegations Isaac Kisiangani the director of Health in Trans Nzoia County said the lady lost her foetus in the uterus three before she arrived at the hospital.

"Today is a sad day in Trans Nzoia. This maternal death is regrettable. After delivery, she developed post-partum haemorrhage and she received three units of blood, a full haemogram was and maternal audit will be conducted today," the director said.

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On her part, Judith Nasimiyu, the chief officer in charge of health dismissed the allegations that there was negligence.

"It is regrettable that we have lost a young promising girl. However, I do not agree that there was any form of negligence because we have a very competent workforce," Nasimiyu stated.

Nasimiyu said that the patient was attended to by a team of three medics from the time she was admitted to the day she passed on.

Pregnant woman dies after alleged negligence in Kisii

In a related story TUKO.co.ke previously covered, a 27-year-old expectant mother, Phanice Ratemo, tragically died at Magena Dispensary in Kisii County after reportedly being neglected by medical staff during labour.

Ratemo had been admitted to the facility late at night, complaining of labour pains. However, her repeated calls for assistance allegedly went unanswered, with nurses insisting her time to deliver had not yet come.

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According to sources, Ratemo began bleeding after her water broke, but no medics came to her aid. She eventually died alongside her unborn child. The situation worsened when staff at the facility allegedly fled upon learning of her death, leaving her body behind.

Story by Emanuel Tarus, a TUKO.co.ke correspondent

Source: TUKO.co.ke