The late Doreen Adisa Lugaliki, the first Kenyan doctor to
succumb to Covid-19, was laid to rest on Monday in Tongaren, Bungoma County.
Friends, family and colleagues described the deceased as a
hardworking medic who had the needs of patients at heart.
Her brother Lenny Lugaliki recalled how she slept for only
four hours per day due to her commitment to the profession.
"She would sleep four hours a day. Most of the time,
you would find her in hospital. I drew a lot of encouragement from her.
“Everybody can attest that Doreen was very hardworking and
passionate," he said.
Lenny also stated that the family was devastated by her
demise and the manner she was buried since they were not allowed to get near
the body due to regulations set by the Ministry of Health.
It also emerged that prior to her demise, the doctor had
been diagnosed with ketoacidosis, a diabetic complication that occurs when your
blood sugar is very high and acidic substances called ketones build up to
dangerous levels.
KMPDU Secretary-General Dr Chibanzi Mwachonda said Lugaliki’s
death was a wakeup call to those who do not take Covid-19 seriously and urged
Kenyans to adhere to the guidelines issued by the government.
He also asked the government to ensure the safety of health
workers who are in the frontline in the fight against the virus.
"On behalf of doctors our hearts are very heavy for
losing our colleague and this is a battle to us, not a war of guns as it's an
invisible war.
"This has brought to light what devastation the pandemic has caused us as a nation and we are appealing to everyone to take this pandemic seriously," he said.