Source: The Star ( Nairobi)
Hilton Otenyo
23 September 2011
Doctors from Kenyatta National Hospital have been called in to assist in the treatment of the Busia fire victims. Western provincial director of medical services Dr Godrick Onyango yesterday said a plastic surgeon, an anesthesiologist and a number of specialised nurses had arrived in the province to help treat the victims of the tanker fuel tragedy that left nine dead. “We were expecting three more surgeons and nutritionists from the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret by yesterday (Wednesday evening) so as to be able to attend to the victims,” said Onyango.
Onyango said that four of the six victims who were admitted at the Western Provincial General Hospital in critical condition were transferred to New Nyanza Hospital on Wednesday but three succumbed to the burns.Onyango said two others have been admitted to the High Dependency Unit. Doctors said that those admitted in various hospitals inhaled fumes while others sustained serious burns that ranged between 15 and 80 per cent.
Onyango said the request for more specialists followed realisation that the medical personnel in the region were overwhelmed by the number of patients and the specialised treatment they required. “Some of the victims inhaled fumes and currently we are reassessing them because we have some who cannot see and complications will start showing later,” said Dr Jane-Rose Ambuchi. Nurses off duty had to be recalled to help deal with the crisis.Ambuchi said Busia District Hospital is in urgent need of antibiotics, IV fluids, foodstuff and blood. She said Kenya Red Cross personnel had issued blankets and bed sheets. Sports Minister Paul Otuoma appealed to residents to give priority to their personal safety. He said the area was a transit point where oil tankers passed through and caution should be exercised whenever such incidents occur.
Otuoma conveyed condolences from President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga proposed to Deputy Prime Minister also the Local Government Minister Musalia Mudavadi to order a relocation of tankers queuing at Busia Boarder Point to avert a disaster. The oil tanker veered off the road at Suo River Bridge area barely 10 km from Busia Town along Kisumu-Busia Road. According to eye witnesses, the fire was triggered by sparks of fire from the tanker’s battery after a man attempted to yank it off while tens of others scooped the spilt petrol.
