"Haikuwa Na Shida" Nairobi Woman Loses Hand Two Weeks After Giving Birth Recounts Ordeal

A Nairobi mother, Teresia Wambui, is living in pain after what was supposed to be the happiest moment of her life turned tragic. 

The 28-year-old woman lost her right hand two weeks after giving birth through a caesarean section, following what her family believes was a case of medical negligence.

Teresia delivered a healthy baby boy at a private hospital in Nairobi on September 28. She said the surgery went well, and both she and her baby were fine. 

However, just hours after giving birth, she noticed her right hand had started swelling where a cannula had been inserted.

“I do not know if it was the wrong medicine or if I was injected wrongly,” she said tearfully. 

“The nurse told me the medicine had not entered my body, but the pain was too much.”

By the next morning, her fingers had started turning black, and her hand was extremely painful. 

Her family became worried and demanded she be transferred to another hospital for proper treatment. 

On October 1, she was moved to a second hospital, where doctors tried to reduce the swelling by making a small cut to relieve pressure. Unfortunately, her condition got worse.

After two weeks of treatment, Teresia was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) for further care. 

Doctors at KNH examined her and found that the tissues in her right hand had died due to poor blood flow. On October 14, they were forced to amputate her arm to save her life.

“I went to the hospital with both my hands, and now I only have one,” she said sadly.

“My life has completely changed.”

Teresia’s husband, Kennedy Mwangi, has accused the first hospital of negligence and called for justice.

“We want the government to investigate and ensure no other family suffers like this again,” he said.

The hospital has declined to comment on the matter, saying investigations are ongoing.

Many Kenyans on social media have expressed sympathy for Teresia and her family, with some medical professionals saying that the swelling could have been caused by improper injection procedures.

Teresia is now learning to live with one hand while caring for her newborn. Despite her pain, she says she is grateful to be alive and hopes that justice will be served soon.