Four weeks of pain: Woman cries out for help after accidentally swallowing needle
A woman is crying for help after accidentally swallowing a sewing needle in Mugambaciura village, Kirinyaga County.
Four weeks after the incident, the needle is still lodged in Everline Karekia’s throat.
“I’m in great pain and I can’t eat properly,” 31-year-old Karekia told the NTV on Wednesday.
The mother of two said she was sewing clothes when her baby started crying and wanted to be breastfed.
She stopped sewing and put the needle in her mouth as she breastfed her eight-month-old baby.
However, she accidentally swallowed the needle and was rushed to Embu Referral Hospital, where only an X-ray was taken.
“In Embu, we paid Sh800 for an x-ray, but no effort was made to remove the needle from my wife’s throat,” said Kelvin Maina, Ms Karekia’s husband.
Ms Karekia also sought treatment at Kerugoya Referral Hospital, but the needle could not be removed immediately.
Mr Maina said the situation was serious and called on the government to intervene.
“If there is no urgent intervention, I may lose my wife who has been suffering for over a month,” said Mr Maina.
He claimed that his wife could not be treated at Kerugoya Referral Hospital, which was recently upgraded to a level five medical facility.
“When we went to Kerugoya, we were told that the endoscopy service, which is required before any operation to remove a needle, was not available and we were referred to a local private hospital where we were asked to pay Sh10,000, which we didn’t have,” said Mr Maina.
Endoscopy is a medical procedure used to examine structures inside the body up close by inserting a tube with a camera through the throat or anus.
Mr Maina said his wife was forced to return home with the needle in her throat.
Kirinyaga County Health Officer, Dr George Karoki, said the matter was being handled by the hospital.
“We attended to the woman and the x-ray could not show that there was a needle in her throat. So we decided to do an endoscopy to establish the truth, but we didn’t have an endoscopy machine. So we sent an ambulance to collect the patient from her home and take her to a private hospital for the procedure. We collaborate with private hospitals on health matters and it is normal to do so,” said Dr Karoki.
He said the county was taking the matter seriously and the woman would be treated.
But he urged the family to stop politicising the matter.
Meanwhile, residents are sympathising with the woman, who they say comes from a poor background.
“The family can’t afford private health services and we have been looking for funds to help her get treatment after what happened to her,” said Mr David Karatai.
Residents said the woman spends most of her time sleeping at home because of the pain she is in.
They expressed concern that even the elected leaders had not helped her.
“We are afraid that we might lose the woman and that is why we are appealing to well-wishers to help us,” said Ms Lydia Kuria.
gamunene@gmail.com
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.