Kenya: Pain, Suffering and Anger As Doctors Start Work Boycott allafrica.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from allafrica.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Patients and public health workers yesterday united apart in a day of tears: The medics bidding farewell to one of their own felled by coronavirus as their patients writhed in pain.
Hospitals remained deserted after doctors joined nurses and clinical officers in their strike.
Patients agonised as doctors officially declared job boycott at the burial of Dr Stephen Mogusu, who until his death was fighting Covid-19 at Machakos Level Five Hospital.
His colleagues say he lost the war to the virus because the government failed to listen to their pleas to improve working conditions – including providing protective gear, life and medical covers, promotions and recruiting more doctors.
Kagwe said the formation of a commission should not be more important than taking care of a woman who is about to deliver.
“You abandon her because a commission has not been formed, it s sad … To see a child walk into a hospital and because [your] promotion has not been effected, you watch the child die, it s sad. Delays in salaries happen across the country.
KMPDU officials from left: treasurer Daisy Korir, secretary general Chibanzi Mwachonda, chairman Samwel Oroko and Nyanza chapter secretary general Kevin Osuri in Kisii on 21/12/2020. [Sammy Omingo,Standard]
It was a heartbreaking story of pain and anguish in public hospitals across the country on Monday after 7,200 doctors joined nurses and other medics in downing tools until the government meet their demands.
Patients discharged
All wards remained closed after patients were discharged when clinical officers and nurses went on strike that has now entered the third week.
The situation was similar in the five sub county hospitals including Chakoli, Khunyangu, Port Victoria, Nambale and Sio Port.
A deserted outpatient section at the Busia County Referral Hospital. [Ignatius Odanga/Standard]
Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation Isaac Omeri told The Standard that striking medics had refused to have talks with county health officials.
Meanwhile, the Busia County Service Board has started the process of hiring some 10 new medical officers. At least 55 candidates have already been interviewed.