Kenya: Patients share ward with dead bodies in hospital

Patients at Msambweni sub-county hospital in Kwale County, Kenya, are reportedly sharing wards with dead bodies.


Reports indicated that this was because the hospital took up to three days to remove bodies of patients who succumbed to illnesses.

Speaking to People Daily, the hospital superintendent said the "practice" had been influenced by local culture that didn't encourage preservation of bodies in morgues.

The east African country's health institutions have in recent months hit the headlines over their dilapidated state.

Last week, pictures emerged of another hospital in Kakamega with patients sleeping on cut-out cartons. Reports said that the facility did not have important life-saving equipment, such as the suction machine.

At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in the Kisumu County, Standard reported cases of patients being discharged before recovery to pave way for new admissions.