There was drama at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital when two suspects drew their knives after a standoff with the nurses at the facility.

The nurses got alarmed after guards stationed at the facility took off at the drawing of the knives by the two suspects.  The nurses appeared bolder than the guards when the rubber met the road.

Before the take-off

Mama Lucy Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Musa Mohammed said some two suspects had accompanied a patient to the hospital.

“When they arrived, they found the nurse attending to another patient who was also in critical condition. An argument ensued as they insisted on the man’s treatment. When [the nurse] asked them to be patient, they attacked her,” Dr Musa said on Sunday.

The two nurses sustained minor injuries. They were later to be treated and discharged.

Took off

“We normally have very good security at the hospital but the time and the speed at which the incident occurred might have caught the officers outside unawares,” he said.

“They, however, moved quickly to contain the situation and arrested the suspects who were trying to get away from the scene of the crime.”

Disappointed and puzzled

Ediah Muruli, Kenya National Union of Nurses Nairobi branch Secretary, expressed her disappointment that security officers at the admission area fled when the attack began.

“We are very disappointed and puzzled by the fact that security officers manning the area ran away when one of the assailants drew a knife,” Ms Muruli said.

“They even chased one of the nurses all the way from the admission area to the maternity ward. If they cannot provide security for staff and patients visiting the hospital, we wonder why they are still contracted to guard the premises.”