Piece by: ELIAS YAA

13 January 2023

• The vaccine was administered by health officials from the Kombeni dispensary.

A family in Mwele village, Rabai subcounty is demanding justice after their relative developed complications following a Covid-19 jab.

According to the family, Emmanuel Chiringa, 17, received the Covid-19 vaccine in February 2022.

Chiringa is now bedridden with a swollen hand.

The victim received the vaccine at the Mwele Primary School where he was a candidate then.

The vaccine was administered by health officials from the Kombeni dispensary.

Speaking to the star in his home, Chiringa said after receiving the vaccine, his left hand started hurting.

“There was a lot of pain on the spot where the vaccine was administered. I ignored it hoping it would subside, however, it never did. After some time I found it hard to use my left hand because of the pain,” he said

From May last year, the upper part of the hand begun to swell.

Chiringa was to join Form 1 in May last year but he could not due to the problem.

“I went to Kombeni dispensary and they referred me to Rabai subcounty hospital. I was given some medicines but there was no improvement," he said.

Chiringa was later referred to Mariakani subcounty hospital.

"They requested for an X-ray. After the first X-ray they told me that the needle had touched the bone but I should wait for a senior doctor," he said.

"When the senior doctor came, he requested for another X-ray and the results were that my hand was okay. They then referred me to Kilifi County Hospital for further check-up.”

At the Kilifi County Referral Hospital, Chiringa said he was not attended to and decided to go back home.

As things got worse, his mother Medza Magongo decided to take him to the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital.

By now, Chiringa had difficulties in movement due to the pain and heaviness of the hand.

Magongo said several tests were run on her son but they could not conclusively say what the problem was.

She said they requested for Magnetic Resonance Imaging but the family could not raise the funds needed for the procedure at a private hospital.

“The MRI machine at the Coast General Hospital was not working and the options were private hospitals. We had no option but to take him back home. Since then, he has been reeling in pain day and night,” Magongo said.

The mother said the swollen area has developed some lesions and at times clear fluid oozes.

“I have had to stop going to work so that I can take care of my son. He cannot walk to the toilet. We have fundraised to take him to the hospital but we are now stuck. Any well-wisher who can help us find treatment is highly welcome,” she said.

Zainab Rajab, a cousin to Chiringa said the family needs Sh35,000 for the MRI and transport to hospital.

“He cannot eat well and he doesn't sleep due to the pain. We are pleading for support,” she said.

Kilifi director for Medical Services Hassan Khamis confirmed the incident and said they have been trying to help the boy but there is always a communication breakdown.

Khamis said medical officers from Rabai subcounty have been trying to reach out to the patient but the family has not been cooperative.

He said they reported the case to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and the Ministry of Health.

“They instructed us to follow the matter conclusively so that we could establish if it was the vaccine that cause the problem or if there was an underlying problem," Khamis said.

"We dispatched a vehicle and even sent money to the family to bring him to Kilifi but they did not.”

The director said the Kilifi government will cater for the boy's treatment, should he come at any time.

“We have an MRI machine in Malindi and we can do the MRI there. This is a case of great concern and we cannot abandon the family,” he said.