A family in Gangu village, Alego Usonga constituency, is demanding accountability from health authorities following the tragic death of their relative, George Odera Oloo, at the Siaya County Referral Hospital under controversial circumstances.

Oloo reportedly died after failing to receive timely emergency treatment for a snakebite, a delay his family attributes to gross medical negligence and system failure.

Speaking to Kondele News, former West Alego MCA Peter Muhula, a close friend of the family, revealed that Oloo was initially turned away when he first arrived at the Siaya County Referral Hospital seeking urgent anti-venom treatment.

Desperate for help, the family rushed Oloo to a nearby health facility, only to be turned back once more.

“It is heartbreaking that the first place the deceased went to seek emergency medical attention was Siaya County Referral Hospital, but he was turned away,” Muhula lamented. “When they proceeded to the second facility, officers there insisted that Siaya County Referral was actually the only facility in the area with the required antidote.”

Left with no choice, the family rushed back to Siaya County Referral Hospital, where they were instructed to purchase the anti-venom out-of-pocket for KSh 7,000.

“Why did they turn them away in the first instance if the medicine was available for purchase?” queried Muhula. “When the family finally managed to secure the anti-venom, it was already too late to save his life.”

Devastated by the loss, the family maintains that Oloo’s death was entirely preventable. They have vowed to take legal action against the hospital management and the county health department to seek justice for their kin.