Volunteer health workers have decided to offer medical services at Kapenguria County hospital following the ongoing national doctors’ and nurses’ strike. On Monday a newborn died while a mother was delivering due to lack of qualified personnel to attend to her.
Speaking to the press, volunteers who sought anonymity said that they have been giving medical services to patients with emergency cases to reduce deaths.
“We have helped about twenty patients since morning. Mostly we have been dealing with those who are discharged,” said one volunteer.
A spot check at the facility showed the facility remains deserted throughout the day with only guards manning the facility seen around following the ongoing strike.
One patient Judith Lavusan who was involved in an accident at Maili saba on Saturday said that she has not received treatment since she came to the hospital. “I’ve been suffering here without help,” said Lavusan.
At a press conference in his residence, West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin called on volunteers who are not in the union and other cadres to come out and help the suffering patients in the hospital. “These are humanitarian issues and trainees should come out to help,” he said.
He called on the striking doctors and nurses to put people’s lives first before demanding for a pay rise. Kachapin cautioned unions for blanket condemnation of counties citing that they should not be generalized for the mess in the country.
“Every County is unique and has its own problems. Issues of health should not be generalized as the department is devolved. The union officials should not fault all the 47 counties yet others have done well,” he said.
Kachapin said that the medics should embrace dialogue urging patients to seek an alternative in other hospitals.
Kachapin said the bargain agreement that the health workers are fighting for was signed before county governments came in place and urged the unionist to rethink about the ongoing strike.
“It’s immoral and sinful to see patients suffering and yet they vowed to work for our nation. The unionist should call off the strike,” he said.
The county boss said his government is holding talks with the striking nurses and doctors in the county to see how they will address their issues.
He cited that the bargaining agreement was done when budgets were already done. “In fact, it was done when counties were not there .They should rethink about their move to strike,” he said
The county boss called on the government to regulate and issue policies and guidelines so that unions cannot be nationalized.
“Every county should deal with its issues. Others are striking because of comradeship but on our side as a county, we have effected many promotions that could have been done at Afya house,” Kachapin said.