Life is not only precious but also short. It can cut dreams and chase away loved ones before we have had enough of them. Unfortunately one of our National exam candidates has tasted this wrath due to a terminal illness.
A family in Nakuru is morning as their 19-year-old Harrison Mutai Kiprono, a student at Sitoito Secondary School in Kuresoi-North Sub-county, passed away on Friday evening at Kamwaura Health Center where he had been taking his exams.
Kiprono failed to take his Chemistry practical on Friday after his health condition worsened.
The young man had reportedly been diagnosed with cancer in February this year at Alexandria Cancer Center in Nakuru town and had been on medication.
Sitoito Secondary School Principal David Korir said the deceased was an average student but his performance started deteriorating after he was diagnosed with the disease.
Kuresoi Deputy County Commissioner Felix wafula who confirmed the incident empathized with the family for their loss.
He also further urged parents to ensure their children acquire valid National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) cards that will help them acquire proper medication.
In the recently reviewed NHIF benefits,the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) introduced a new package that would cover patients with chronic diseases. These include diabetes, hypertension and cancer.
Patients in need of chemotherapy get a cover of Sh 25,000 per session, radiology Sh 18,000, Ct scan Sh 8,000, MRI Sh 15,000 and monthly clinic check-up of Sh 5,000. NHIF Chair Mohamud Ali said they had acknowledged the increase in exposure to chronic conditions being experienced in the country and therefore decided to include them in their packages.
On November still during these National Exams a Gesiaga Secondary School student reportedly collapsed in the examination hall and was pronounced dead on arrival to Ombogi Nursing Home.
The cause of his death, Keith Mongare, 17, from Nyamira county was attributed to heart problems.
“My son has been struggling with a heart problem and was on medication,” Mr. Joshua Ongaga, the father to the deceased.
Else where Mathius Ombiro who was among the candidates in the 2018 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam was pronounced dead on the evening of October, Sunday 21, at Christmarine Hospital in Kisii.
According to Kenya News Agency, his parents, Thomas Orina and Mary Moraa, said their son had complained of ill health for a few weeks before he underwent a scan at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The KCSE candidate had been diagnosed with a liver infection and was put on medication by doctors and later discharged to school but his condition worsened forcing him to seek further treatment.
Do you think students with health issues should be given extra care and attention during National examinations?