An elderly man died on Monday in Masalani, Ijara Sub-county in Garissa after disregarding instructions to complete the full dose of anti-rabies injections prescribed by his doctor after he was bitten by a hyena.
The deceased, Ibrahim Gaamey, aged over 70, passed away as he was being rushed to the Garissa County Referral Hospital from Masalani Sub-county Level 4 Hospital, where he had been taken by his family on Friday when his condition turned worse in Sankole village, Sangailu division of Ijara Sub-county.
According to a village elder, Mohamed Gure, Gaamey was bitten two weeks ago by the marauding beast when he rushed out of his hut at around mid-night to answer a distress call from his daughter-in-law whose house had been invaded by the canine.
The hyena is said to have butted into the house in a desperate search for water after it was poisoned through a bait following a series of attacks on several manyattas.
Gure said the deceased confronted the rabid canine at the doorway of his daughter-in-law’s house and the animal bit him in the right hand.
He was initially rushed to the Masalani Sub-county Hospital, where he was given the first of the three prescribed anti-rabies jabs to stabilize his condition.
According to Dr Abdi Malik, who spoke to KNA at the Masalani Sub-county Hospital, Mzee Gaamey was discharged and directed to come back for the subsequent injections to complete his treatment dose but failed to honor the review.
Last Saturday, Gaamey’s condition deteriorated and the deceased went berserk and started making strange howling cries forcing the family to rush him to Masalani Sub-county Hospital where Dr Malik recommended that he be referred to the Garissa Teaching and Referral Hospital. He died on the way to the Hospital.
The medic cautioned residents against ignoring instructions by medical personnel to complete prescribed doses for any ailment warning that such behaviour may turn out to be costly and fatal.
by Mohamed Dahir
