By Pamela Adinda
Catholic Bishops in Kenya have appealed to both government and health workers to take quick action to ensure normal services are restored in public health institutions for the good of the Kenyan citizens who are in dire need of medical services.
In a press statement issued by the Bishops on Wednesday, December 7that the Conference Secretariat in Nairobi, the Bishops said that it is incumbent on the Government to ensure that the health of its citizenry is prioritized. They strongly appealed to both National and County governments to create a harmonious environment for dialogue in order to bring an end to this stalemate.
Doctors and other health workers in public hospitals throughout the country started their nationwide strike on Monday 5th December demanding, among many other things, a nearly 130 per cent salary raise for the lowest-cadre members, from a maximum of US $ 1,498.8 to US $ 3,427.7
While talks between the government and health workers’ leaders has not borne any fruits, poor Kenyans who cannot afford alternative health care in Private hospitals continue to suffer as death toll due to lack of medical care in public hospitals continues to rise.
“It cannot be business as usual while people die of abandonment in a country that boasts to have a working government. No project or undertaking is more important than human life at any time,” the Bishops’ statement which was read to the press by KCCB chairman Rt. Rev. Philip Anyolo, Bishop of Homabay said.
“We appeal to the medical professionals to respond to essential emergencies in order to save life. Doctors and nurses work under an oath and ethical commitment to protect human life at all times. We call for possible action to ensure normal medical services are restored without further delay.”
According to media reports, the situation if not immediately addressed is set to get worse. This is following the decision by specialist doctors who had been offering services at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), the biggest referral hospital in the country, and University of Nairobi Medical School lecturers, to join the strike. The 290 practitioners, usually referred to as consultants, on Thursday suspended the emergency services they were offering at KNH as the strike entered its fourth day.
The Catholic Bishops have appealed to private medical institutions too to respond to dire situation across the country.
“We also appeal to private medical institutions to go out of their way and respond to essential medical emergencies and help save lives.”
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