A fake doctor in Kenya was arrested after successfully operating nine unsuspecting clients. Ronald Melly worked for many years at the reference hospital in Kapsabet County, Kenya, without anyone realizing he was a fake doctor.
According to a report from facmedicine, the fake doctor would have performed several surgeries on patients without the necessary qualifications.
The false doctor’s case was brought to light after a report prepared by officials of the Ministry of Health was tabled in the Assembly. The report, which surprised the majority of the public, contained the names of all the people Mr. Melly had operated on.
He reported that the fake doctor had operated on nine people, eight of whom were successfully discharged while another had died. County Health Department chief officer Edward Serem said the patient who died at the hands of the fake doctor was pregnant, but they managed to save the baby.
“During surgeries, he and a group of other doctors carried out, the patient who was then expectant died because she was on ‘stage’ four of the complication but they managed to save the baby,” Mr. Serem said.
Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagata also added that doctors will be scrutinised more seriously to ensure such cases never happen again. “I have never seen the fake doctor and the public should not blame the county government since doctors are employed by the parent ministry. I’ve directed that health staff working in the county be vetted,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the health committee, chaired by Norbert Maiyo, believe the government should rather train Mr. Melly and allow him to continue working since he looks good on the job.
Mr. Melly’s family also back the call by the health committee to help train their relative to become a qualified doctor. “Since he looks committed to becoming a doctor, let the government sponsor him to train as a medical doctor or clinical officer,” Mr. Melly’s uncle, uncle Daniel Tuwei is quoted as saying.
