Counties

Makueni Nurse Fired for Threatening Patient Who Refused to Buy Drugs from Recommended Chemist

A nurse attached to Kee Level 3 Hospital in Makueni County has been dismissed from service after allegedly threatening a patient who refused to purchase medication from a chemist he had recommended.

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The nurse, identified as Nicodemus, reportedly sent threatening text messages to the patient after they declined to buy drugs from the specific pharmacy. The messages were subsequently shared with county health officials, triggering an immediate investigation.

In a termination letter signed by Kaiti Subcounty Medical Officer Dr. Phillip Maiko, the nurse was notified of the decision and instructed to hand over his duties before leaving the facility.

The incident has brought renewed attention to allegations of unethical practices within public healthcare facilities. Yeiyomedia has learned of similar cases where medical staff at public hospitals allegedly own or have financial interests in private chemists and laboratories, to which they direct patients while charging inflated prices.

Such practices violate professional medical ethics and public service regulations, which prohibit healthcare workers from engaging in activities that create conflicts of interest or exploit patients.

The Makueni County health department has not issued an official statement on whether further investigations will be conducted into similar allegations at other facilities within the county.

Health sector watchdogs have long raised concerns about the practice of healthcare workers referring patients to facilities in which they have personal financial stakes, calling for stronger oversight and enforcement of ethical standards in public hospitals.