The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPPDU) have called upon the national government and Counties to dialogue with the nurses and come up with a lasting solution to their solutions. Speaking in Kakamega, the union’s chairman Samuel Oroko argued that a worker is key to a County’s development and thus must be given priority. “For a County or country to be considered developed, a worker is a key player, we must consider their well being to be able to achieve the development. We thus call upon the national and County leaders to embrace dialogue with the striking nurses to prevent the issue to spiral into a crisis,” said Dr. Oroko.
He was addressing the public at Kakamega’s Bukhungu stadium where the Kenya Red Cross was renewing a contract for 9 ambulances for the Kakamega County Health Ministry that was signed 5 years ago.
Dr. Oroko congratulated Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya for developing the County and urged him to speedily indulge nurses’ leaders in a dialogue to save the nation given that he is the chair of the Council of Governors.
Speaking at the venue, the Kakamega County Health CEC Rachel Okumu revealed that the County plans to buy three more ambulances to bring the number to 12. This she said will ensure that each sub county has its on ambulance. The ambulances have reduced the rate of deaths significantly for they ensure that patients in critical condition get first aid before reaching the health facility.
She revealed that plans were underway to seal an agreement with the Kenya Red Cross organization to construct a regional disaster management center in Kakamega County which will offer critical life-saving skills, disaster preparedness and management training as well as other services that will extend beyond the lake region borders.
She added that it was a noble idea for it has saved over 2000 pregnant mothers and their newborns besides other patients.
The managing director E-Plus and deputy secretary general Kenya red cross madam Susan Ng’ong’a said the organization looks forward to more public-private partnerships with County governments as she lauded Governor Oparanya for his visionary leadership.
She assured the government of continued mutual partnership in ensuring a healthy County and nation at large.