By Kemo Kanyi
Kanifing General Hospital has suspended a clinical staff member following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female patient during medical consultation.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the hospital said it had immediately launched an investigation after becoming aware of the allegations.
“The staff member concerned has since been identified and summoned to a meeting with Senior Management. He has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” the hospital said.
Management said it had also contacted the complainant and invited her to provide further information concerning the alleged incident.
The hospital said the matter would be handled sensitively, objectively and in accordance with established procedures.
It stressed that it does not condone sexual misconduct, abuse, harassment or any other form of unethical or unprofessional conduct by its staff.
The hospital reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the dignity, safety and rights of all patients accessing its services.
According to management, appropriate action will be taken if the allegations are substantiated, in accordance with hospital policies, civil service regulations and applicable professional and legal requirements.
At the same time, the hospital called for due process and a fair and impartial investigation.
“We therefore urge members of the public to allow the investigative process to proceed without prejudice to any of the parties involved,” it said.
The hospital assured the public that patient safety and quality healthcare remain its highest priorities and said all clinical and other essential services continue to operate normally.
Woman provides account of alleged incident
Meanwhile, the woman who accused the nurse of sexual misconduct has provided further details about the alleged incident and explained why she did not initially report the matter to the police.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, alleged that the nurse inserted his penis into her vagina while attending to her during a consultation.
The allegation has not been independently established, and the nurse has not been convicted of any offence.
Responding to questions raised by members of the public following reports of the incident, the woman said she initially intended to report the matter to the police.
She said the incident occurred on a Wednesday and that she returned to the hospital on Saturday to confront the nurse.
According to her account, the nurse apologized when confronted, after which she decided not to immediately report the matter to the police.
She said she was still unwell, overwhelmed and experiencing severe abdominal pain at the time.
The woman said she later decided to speak publicly to raise awareness about the need to protect patients in healthcare facilities.
“I wanted to create awareness and let people know that things like this can happen even in places where we are supposed to feel safe, including hospitals,” she said.
How she obtained the nurse’s number
The woman said she obtained the nurse’s telephone number during an earlier visit to the hospital when she was feeling weak and unwell.
She said the nurse advised her to contact him if her condition persisted so that she could return to the hospital for intravenous treatment.
She said she subsequently recovered after taking medication and did not contact him.
However, when she later developed severe abdominal pain, she returned to the hospital for treatment.
Alleged inappropriate contact
Asked whether the nurse had actually inserted his penis, the woman said she was initially unaware of what had happened.
She said she later asked him about the incident and that he allegedly told her he had inserted it and immediately removed it.
The woman said she was experiencing severe pain and had told the nurse that she felt she was about to faint.
She alleged that she was instructed to move towards the edge of the examination bed, with her legs hanging down.
According to her account, the nurse was positioned between her legs while carrying out what she believed was part of the medical procedure.
She said she closed her eyes because of her condition and did not see what was happening.
The woman said she initially assumed the sensations she experienced were related to the procedure being performed.
She alleged that she later realized that the nurse had inserted the tip of his penis.
The allegations remain subject to investigation.
Kanifing General Hospital has said the staff member has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation and that the complainant has been invited to provide additional information.
The hospital has also urged the public to allow the investigative process to proceed without prejudice to either party.
If the allegations are substantiated, appropriate disciplinary and legal measures are expected to follow in accordance with applicable laws and professional regulations.
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