A nationwide strike by doctors in Kenya leaves patients wandering, service delivery stalled
Doctors across Kenya have left patients wandering after they went on strike to serve in public hospitals last Thursday, despite the Court's order to prevent a national strike by the doctors.
The strike linked to the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) which is the largest organization of medical professionals in Kenya, with more than 8,000 members, has caused major disruption in the country's healthcare system and crippled delivery important services.
Reports from Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, Migori, Nyeri, and Kisumu paint a picture of chaos and depression.
Steve Ndonga, KMPDU official in Kisumu said, the union does not recognize the Court's order because it does not apply to all hospitals.
Patients seeking emergency care, routine examinations and important procedures were turned away by staff overwhelmed by patients or forced to seek alternative, often more expensive, treatment in private medical facilities.
Dr. Khalib Salum of the Central Coastal Hospital, has told the media: "at the moment we provide only essential services, especially emergency services. Non-emergency services are temporarily unavailable and several wards are closed due to staff shortages due to the strike".
The doctor has added by saying: "our decision to reduce services is driven by the need to improve the working environment regarding the employees, among many other complaints".
The situation is especially sad for patients with chronic diseases who need constant medical care. Many have had to resort to expensive private clinics.
KMPDU maintains that the strike is the last solution to address their grievances, especially regarding the delay in the appointment of health workers, which has caused a shortage of workers, while delaying the sending of 1,200 medical graduates to the hospital.
Health Minister Susan Nakhumicha has dismissed KMPDU's demands and said they are not enforceable, citing the ministry's lack of authority to send medical graduates.
Nakhumicha has also emphasized the reality of the current shortage due to the tight budget.../
