A hospital in the United States is appealing to anyone with information on the next-of-kin of a critically ill Kenyan to contact the facility as soon as possible. A spokesperson at Kennestone Hospital in Marietta , Georgia, told the Nation on Thursday evening that Alfred Mugo “is critically ill and we must speak to a close relative as a matter of urgency.”
“There is a critical decision which must be made immediately but because of legal implications, this can only do it with the consent of a close family member,” said Ms Viav.
Mr Mugo, who has been in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for several days, was admitted after he fell ill and was rushed to the facility from Franklin Road, where he lived as a destitute.
But although the SOS by the hospital is a culmination of frantic efforts to trace Mugo’s next of Kin, the Nation has learnt that prior to being admitted at the facility, Mr Mugo lived in the streets in Marietta, Georgia.
“He and another homeless Kenyan lived on Franklin Road, about 15 Kilometres West of Atlanta,” said a friend of Mugo who did not wish to be identified.
Asked whether he had any information on his family members, the friend said all he knew was that Mugo’s family lived “around Thogoto, Kikuyu area” in Kenya.
And although details were scanty by the time of going to press, two Kenyans who claimed to know Mugo told the Nation that he was a graduate of Information Technology (IT) from the nearby Kennesaw State University and a former student of Mang’u High School.
“Prior to falling sick, he and two friends had been taken in by a good samaritan but they returned to the streets soon after,” he said.
In the United States, the Medical Information Privacy and Security Act mandates hospitals to seek consent from close family members in instances where critical decisions have to be made.
Ms Viav appealed to anyone with information about Mugo’s relatives to urgently call +1 770 793 5000 ask to speak to medical personnel in Room #346 in the Blue Tower.
– Nation
