A neurosurgeon in one of Kenya’s biggest hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital, has   performed a brain surgery on a wrong patient. One patient who needed non-invasive treatment for swelling was mistaken for another who needed the brain surgery for removal of blood clot on the brain.

The shocking incidence occurred as a result of mix-up of identification tags. The doctors did not realize their mistake until hours into the surgery when they noticed there was no blood clot at all. At this point, they realized they were operating on a wrong patient.

The CEO of the hospital, Lily Koros in responding to the incident said “the hospital deeply regrets this event and has done all it can to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient in question”.

“We are happy to inform the public that the patient is in recovery and progressing well,” Ms Koros added. Four staff – the neurosurgeon, ward nurse, theatre receiving nurse and anaesthetist have since been suspended.

The Kenyan Health Minister Sicily Kariuki has also asked the CEO of the hospital to be on compulsory leave pending investigations.