Nakuru doctors demand dialogue with Governor Kinuthia to end strike

Residents assist a student who collapsed at Molo Sub-County hospital in Nakuru on September 21,2016 after she found no one to attend to her .PHOTO:KIPSANG JOSEPH

Doctors want to meet with Governor Kinuthia Mbugua to find a solution to the ongoing strike that has paralysed operations in public hospitals.

The doctors said they were shocked that as the strike entered its second week, the governor did not seem to be aware of it or had chosen to ignore it.

Acting South Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) representative Hillary Kubai said the doctors would hold a peaceful protest as they sought audience with Mr Kinuthia today.

"We are not sure if the governor knows that patients are suffering in public hospitals. We want to speak to him to find a quick solution," said Dr Kubai.

He said talks with Health Executive Mungai Kabii and his Chief Officer Samuel Mwaura, had been fruitless, adding that since the strike began on September 16, they had only met on September 16 and September 23.

"The previous meetings have not been successful and that is why we want Governor Kinuthia to intervene," he said.

The medics downed their tools demanding salaries for 32 doctors employed under the inter-governmental committee in April.

The strike has left patients stranded in various public hospitals, with more than 10 reported to have died as a result of the strike.

At Elburgon Hospital, only emergency cases are being handled. Hospital in Charge George Biketi said there were only five doctors at the hospital as all the others had opted to stay away, forcing him to respond to emergencies alone.

"The work is overwhelming because I am the only doctor handling patients. I have no option but to send some to private hospitals," said Dr Biketi.

The situation was the same at Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital, which receives patients from neighbouring Bomet, Nyandarua, Samburu, Kericho and Baringo counties.

"We are here but there is nothing much we are doing without the doctors. Patients are not being given drugs because there are no pharmacists," said a nurse at the hospital.

The county has reported numerous strikes since the advent of devolution. Last year, more than 12 people died in the county's public hospitals following a two-week strike by doctors and nurses among other healthcare givers.

The medics accused the county government of intimidating health workers who were demanding their rights and of promoting staff based on tribe.

A health official who requested anonymity said the majority of those who pushed for the welfare of staff were transferred or missed out on promotions.