Doctors in Nairobi went on strike today in protest of delayed salaries and substandard protective equipment as they handle the Covid 19 patients.
This comes after the lapse of a strike notice they issued 21 days ago.
The strike began at midnight on Friday, said Thuranira Kaugiria, secretary general for the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union.
He said 320 doctors employed by the Nairobi County government were taking part in the strike because they had inadequate health insurance, poor quality protective gear and too few isolation wards to treat COVID-19 patients.
However, the strike will not affect private and national government hospitals.
Sadly, doctors in various parts of the country have posted videos on the social media showing the rather pathetic working conditions in the hospitals including substandard protective equipment’s.
Despite the Ministry giving information on the release of Covid -19 funds that are meant to pay allowances to the front line staff, and improve the covid -19 treatment centers the situation on ground is different.
Arrest Covid- 19 millionaire’s looters
Further this is happening as the country is grappling with what is emerging as a mega scandal at KEMSA.
The KEMSA developments and graft allegation at afya house have pushed activists to the streets, demanding arrest of Covid fund looters.
Demonstrations in Nairobi turned chaotic as police tear gassed and arrested close to 21 people, who are still held at central police station.
“We are tired of being bombarded every single day with news of how much money we are losing that should be going to fight the COVID pandemic,” said Wanjeri Nderu, who helped organize the protest.
“We decided today to have a peaceful march. We were teargassed more than 20 times … some of my colleagues have been arrested.”
Activists were considering launching private prosecutions of some officials, she said.
The doctors unrest will put the health sector in an awkward position owing to the rising numbers of covid 19 infections in the country.
21 strike notices by health care unions have been issued across the country and the situation may worsen for counties with the stalemate at the senate over revenue allocation formulae.
