AAR To Insure Nurses Against Professional Malpractices Lawsuits

On Friday, 25th of October, Kenya National Union of Nurses General Secretary Seth Panyako signed a deal with AAR insurance company to cover for professional malpractices suits against nurses.

In the deal that will take effect from January, 2020, more than 29,000 nurses are said to be rolled in the professional indemnity cover negotiated by their union and employer.

“Every nurse will be required to pay Sh9,600 every year. We will make these arrangements with their employers including the 47 counties to see when the money will be deducted,” said Mr Panyako.

Recently, a Health Amendment Bill, was signed into law implying that all health workers get enrolled in a cover that insulates them from professional and malpractice-related lawsuits.

“This means we do not have to again start negotiating with employers on this as it is now mandatory,” said Panyako.

Kenya has in recent days mired with professional misconducts recent case that saw a nurse get fired at KNH after she marked the wrong patient to undergo head surgery. A wrong man got his skull opened up by a neurosurgeon. Another case happened at the facility that saw three nurses sued following the murder of a cancer patient that was under their watch.

A woman from Kwale County also sued nurses who misdiagnised her HIV tests.

“For long, the union has been meeting the costs that come with such litigation. With this deal, such cases will be left to lawyers,” said Panyako, adding that the cover would extend to interns.

Nixon Shigoli AAR CEO said the indemnity deal will cover lawyers’ fees, loss of documents and expenses of insured nurses. National Nurses Association of Kenya also will require the cover to renew their licences.