Another Ugandan stranded after being shot in Kenya riots
Ms Rebecca Auma at her hospital bed. PHOTO | DAVID AWORI
What you need to know:
The victim says she had been working as a maid at one of the homes in the area, and on that fateful day, she was feeling unwell and had gone for treatment at one of the private clinics when she suddenly felt “something” pierce her left thigh
A 26-year-old Ugandan woman is nursing a gunshot wound at Busia New Maternity and Nursing Hospital in Kenya after she was allegedly shot during riots over the rising cost of living in the neighbouring country.
During last month’s skirmishes with rioters who were barricading roads in Burumba, Busia in Kenya, Ms Rebecca Auma was allegedly shot in the left thigh.
The victim says she had been working as a maid at one of the homes in the area, and on that fateful day, she was feeling unwell and had gone for treatment at one of the private clinics when she suddenly felt “something” pierce her left thigh. The episode, she says, immediately paralysed her leg, after which she was helped and wheeled to Busia New Maternity and Nursing Hospital for treatment.
Mr Abel Fortune Oradi, the hospital administrator, at the weekend confirmed that the victim was brought to our facility with gunshot wounds about three weeks ago and since then, she has been on treatment.
He added that they were able to stop the bleeding, in addition to other treatment, and the patient had steadily improved.
“We have been treating her and we feel she is fine and ready to reunite with her family in Namayingo District, “Mr Oradi said.
He, however, said the patient has not been allowed to leave the hospital because of an unpaid medical bill amounting to KShs111,000 (about Shs3.3m).
He explained: “As a private health provider, we feel we have done enough to secure the life of the patient; unfortunately, the bill has hit high and must be paid before the patient leaves the facility.”
“I have been told that some well-wishers brought KShs20,000 (about Shs600,000), which is far below what the hospital wants. We need that money to buy drugs and be able to provide services to other patients who may come in dire need,” Mr Oradi added.
Back home, the victim’s family in Budidi Village, Namayingo Town Council, is unable to raise the money, and are reportedly trying to see if they can sell land to pay the bill.
As a maid, Ms Auma was reportedly earning KShs5,000 (about Shs150,000) per month, which cannot offset the bill.
Last week, Daily Monitor published a story of an eight-year-old Ugandan pupil who is also nursing a gunshot wound after he was allegedly hit by a stray bullet during the same riots.
William Guliti William, a resident of Marachi ‘C’ Village in Busia Municipality, is admitted to Busia-Kenya County Referral Hospital, and just like Ms Auma, he, too, is unable to pay his medical bills.
