Patients stare at death as doctors stay away from hospitals
Two patients walk along the corridors of Embu Level Five hospital on August 3, 2016. The hospital has been turning away patients due to a doctors’ strike which entered seventh day on Wednesday. PHOTO | CHARLES WANYORO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Upper Eastern secretary general Dr Mark Ndung’u says the county has about 60 doctors to serve a population of about 600,000 people.
- Dr Ndung’u said the county needed at least 96 medical doctors and specialists to bridge the gap, with Embu Level Five hospital, being the hardest hit with only 19 doctors while it required at least 50.
Hundreds of patients seeking medical services at the Embu Level Five hospital were on Wednesday turned away, as doctors’ strike entered its seventh day.
There were also unconfirmed reports that some patients had died following the strike that has paralysed activities in county hospitals.
Doctors in public hospitals in Embu are on strike protesting acute shortage of medics, saying it has hampered provision of medical services at the facilities.
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Upper Eastern secretary general Dr Mark Ndung’u says the county has about 60 doctors to serve a population of about 600,000 people.
Dr Ndung’u said the county needed at least 96 medical doctors and specialists to bridge the gap, with Embu Level Five hospital, being the hardest hit with only 19 doctors while it required at least 50.
A spot check by the Nation showed that most of the beds in the wards were unoccupied while the hospital has been turning away any patient seeking in-patient services.
Mr Charles Gitonga, 22, who was admitted in ward 2, said he had seen most of the patients leave since last week Thursday, and none were being admitted.
“We have been asked to seek treatment elsewhere especially if one requires to be seen by a doctor. When I came here, the ward was full but most of the patients have left,” he told journalists.
At the out-patient desk, Mr Samson Odhiambo from Dallas within the Embu municipality agonizing over where to take a friend who had been recommended for admission, but advised to either seek treatment in hospitals in neighbouring Kirinyaga or Tharaka Nithi counties.
He said he had arrived at the facility at around 9am and was not served until four hours later, despite short queues.
“We appeal to the county government to end the stalemate so that we can get services.
Mr Patrick Ireri, a disabled 45-year old Nembure resident said he had been turned away since in-patient service was not available.
Mr Joseph Kivuti, a taxi driver who operates near the hospital narrated how they watched in horror as an accident victim died.
“The woman died as we watched since she couldn’t be attended to. We have been ferrying patients who have been transferred from this facility,” he said.
On Tuesday, a special committee of the County Assembly of Embu visited the institution to investigate the crisis.
The seven-member committee was formed to seek answers to the various problems that have bedeviled Embu Level Five hospital, resulting in public outcry.
Assembly Majority Leader Andrew Musakwa said they had received complaints ranging from poor services, deteriorating levels of hygiene and lack of essential services due to the on-going strike.
The committee will be chaired by Kyeni South MCA Kanjogu Mugo.
Other members include Martin Mwangi (Kiambere), Michael Njeru (Kithimu), Patrick Rugendo (Kagaari North) and Nominated MCAs Catherine Mbura, James Kathendu, Teresia Rebiro.
