Services at Kapenguria County Hospital and other health centres in West Pokot county have been interrupted following the ongoing nationwide medics’ strike. A spot check at the county referral hospital showed that doctors and nurses are not on normal duty.
However, health workers in Kapenguria did not take part in demonstrations as witnessed in other parts of the country.
Patients in the wards are faced with a difficult task following the strike. Relatives and families of the patients have started seeking medical services elsewhere.
Patients who spoke to the press said that the medical practitioners at Kapenguria Hospital started the go-slow at 5pm on Sunday.
One patient Benard Chetukei from Kaptabuk area in South Pokot Sub County said he hadn’t received treatment since he arrived at the facility yesterday noon.
His father, Loiterei Chetukei, said he has no money to take his son to a private hospital. “We travelled for more than 50 km to come to Kapenguria hospital but we’ve found no help here,” said Loiterei.
Another patient, Paul Lochap, in Ward 3 said he has not taken his drugs since yesterday. “We are wondering what is happening as we have not seen the health workers since yesterday. I normally take drugs at 9am and it’s now noon. I have been forced take Panadol to ease the pains,” Lochap said.
Mr. Lochap urged the government to sort out the issues with the medics so that they can go back to work. At the outpatient section, the place had no patients, only vacant benches.
Efforts to reach the County Health and Sanitation Chief Officer Christine Akuto bore no fruits as she was engaged in a meeting.
