Kenya’s healthcare crisis: Doctors’ strike leaves hospitals empty
The labour ward at Kihara Level 4 Hospital, situated on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya presents a stark image of the ongoing healthcare crisis in Kenya. With most beds empty, only three are occupied out of a dozen, as doctors continue their month-long strike across the country.
A nurse at the hospital reveals that they are unable to admit women in need of Caesarean sections due to the absence of doctors available to perform the surgeries.
This situation is emblematic of the broader issue plaguing public hospitals, where essential services are severely compromised.
The strike, led by doctors demanding improved pay and the hiring of trainee doctors, has left public hospitals virtually deserted.
Patients are either forced to seek care at expensive private facilities or endure delayed treatments, leading to exacerbated chronic illnesses and, tragically, sometimes even deaths.
Davji Bhimji, the secretary-general of the doctors’ union, KMPDU, acknowledges the hardships caused by the strike but argues that it is a necessary step to address systemic issues in Kenya’s healthcare system.
He emphasizes that doctors’ working conditions and the lack of essential equipment hinder their ability to provide adequate care to patients.
President William Ruto has urged the striking doctors to return to work and consider the government’s offer, citing the country’s financial constraints. However, the standoff continues as doctors stand firm in their demands.
The impact of the strike is felt deeply by patients like Lucy Bright Mbugua, whose 10-month-old baby requires constant medical attention at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Due to the strike, the hospital’s services have been severely reduced, leaving patients and their families grappling with the consequences.
As the strike persists, there are growing calls from religious leaders, opposition figures, and the public for the government to resume negotiations with doctors and prioritize the resumption of essential healthcare services.
While the stalemate resembles past healthcare crises in Kenya, with strikes lasting for months, many like Ms. Mbugua remain hopeful for a swift resolution.
The urgent need to restore normalcy to hospitals underscores the critical importance of finding a timely and effective solution to the ongoing healthcare crisis in the country.
Source: bbc.com
