Clean up the health sector

Editor, I wish to respond to a story that appeared in The New Times last week involving a medical doctor and a senior nurse arrested by police in connection with the case of a woman reported to have lived with several surgical tools in her body, after an operation was conducted unprofessionally.

Sunday, May 20, 2012
A team of surgeons carrying out an operation. The New Times / File.

Editor,I wish to respond to a story that appeared in The New Times last week involving a medical doctor and a senior nurse arrested by police in connection with the case of a woman reported to have lived with several surgical tools in her body, after an operation was conducted unprofessionally.I commend the national police which carried out investigations into this case. I remember when the case first appeared in newspapers, many medical practitioners dismissed it, arguing no medical person can forget the type of surgical instruments that were recovered inside a patient. Others argued the woman would not have survived for three years in such a situation.No one is disputing the fact that we have got professional doctors who care about patients, and will always be vigilant during operations. However, there are others who consciously or not continue to taint the otherwise good image of the health sector, which boasts many dedicated medical practitioners. It is important that such people continue to be identified dealt with accordingly.I thank the medical doctors at Kigali Teaching Hospital (CHUK) who saved the victim’s life after carrying out an operation and found the surgical tools, including three gloves, a syringe and cotton, from her virginal cavity, three years after the C-section. Glory be to God...Richard MupendeByumba