A sombre mood engulfed Malaha village, Matulo ward, in Webuye West sub county after a mother, Rose Wanyama, and her eldest son Martin Bilindi, died while waiting to be attended to by medical staff. The pair failed to get medical services in both the Webuye County and Bungoma referral hospitals, as a result of the ongoing health workers strike.
The incident comes a few days after Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati told striking nurses in the County that he can’t solve most of their grievances and some must be handled by the national government.
Shadrack Bilinda, the deceased’s wife said she had high blood pressure. She collapsed and was rushed to Lugulu mission hospital because the Webuye sub county hospital wasn’t operational due to the strike. The mission hospital was full and she passed away as she was being attended to.
When her son heard that she had died, he collapsed and was rushed to the Webuye hospital, but was referred to the Bungoma referral hospital because he urgently needed oxygen. Services had stalled at the Bungoma hospital and private hospitals in and around the town were crammed. Unfortunately, he died, as they sought for medical attention. “If the government would’ve dealt with the health workers strike, I wouldn’t have lost my dear wife and son,” he said, “I’m very disappointed with the government.”
He added that most of the residents depend on public health services and many are now suffering while the government is focused on BBI politics. “Some of us can’t afford to take our loved ones to private facilities. The government should intervene and deal with this strike as fast as possible,” he said.
He further urged well wishers to help him financially so that he can cater for burial costs and any pending bills. Alex Masika, a Webuye based Bishop has urged the government to have a fruitful conservation with nurses and clinical officers and ensure that residents get services. “Services at all public health facilities are in a bad state,” he said.