This archive report was first published on 15 June 2021.
Medical Student's Tragic Death Highlights Rising Depression Among Doctors ¶
On June 12, 2021, Dr. Lydia Wahura Kanyoro, a 35-year-old postgraduate medical student at the University of Nairobi's School of Medicine at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), tragically took her own life by injecting anaesthesia-inducing drugs in her car.
According to reports, Dr. Kanyoro had written a suicide note and called some of her relatives before committing the act. The police, however, declined to disclose the contents of the note.
George Onyango, the head of security at the School of Medicine, reported that he spotted the body at the back seat of the deceased car, a Mazda Verisa, within the hospital's parking lot on Saturday at 1 pm.
Officers visited the scene and recovered three syringes, a vial of Ketamine, and midazolam drugs, which are used for inducing anaesthesia and sleepiness.
Dr. Kanyoro's death brings to light the rising cases of depression and personal health problems among medical students and doctors in the country. Experts attribute this to the tough working conditions, among other factors.
Reports indicate that many medical staff are suffering from depression and other mental-related illnesses, which remain largely underreported, especially among Masters students.
Doctors have been advised to be vigilant for the signs of depression within themselves and their colleagues and not hesitate to seek help when needed.
The body was transferred to Chiromo mortuary, and a post-mortem is expected to be conducted.
Though preliminary investigations show it was a case of suicide, the Kilimani Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss said they will conduct a thorough probe into the death, keeping an open mind not to be influenced by initial reports.
