Busia wards have been left empty as the nurses’ strike enters its fourth day.
Patient wards in public health facilities have remained empty. The patients packed and left to seek treatment elsewhere.
doctors on duty
Only a few patients were left behind, but they too said although the doctors are on duty, they are not accessing all the services.
A spot check in most health facilities established the surgery wards, pharmacies and laboratories are locked.
The majority of the patients who could not afford the high cost of treatment in private hospitals in and around Busia town had no alternative but to go back home.
Nurses countrywide went on strike on Monday, demanding the implementation of the collective bargaining agreement.
amount too high?
The Salaries and Remuneration Commission has been accused of refusing to sign Sh43.8 billion allowances proposed to them by the government.
SRC chair Sarah Serem declined to sign the collective bargaining agreement between the national government and the Council of Governors, saying the amount is too high.
Nurses at the Busia County Referral Hospital said they do not understand the stalemate.
A spot check established the majority of patients admitted at Port Victoria Hospital in Budalang’i are flocking to Ruambwa Health Centre on the border of Budalang’i and Siaya county.
The three doctors and a volunteer nurse at the facility, led by Dr James Mabeya, said they had a hectic time handling cases from the two areas.
Staffer Jacquelyn Juma said pregnant mothers are being referred to Nyambare Mission Hospital.
SAME CASE IN BARINGO
Meanwhile, medical services were on Tuesday paralysed in Kabarnet town, Baringo county, after more than 300 nurses protested over pay.
Nurses’ union branch chair Francis Koros said, “Don’t be cheated the government has enough money to gather for all its workers in different ministries and cadres, so we shall not relent as nurses until our rights are being served to us.”
Chanting ‘haki yetu (our rights), ‘punda amechoka’, ‘no CBA no work’, and ‘employ more nurses’, protesting nurses walked around Kabarnet town singing anti-government songs.
In December last year, nurses called off their week-long strike after their union struck a return-to-work formula with the government.
Kenya National Union of Nurses ‘chairman John Bii said they are ready to resume work immediately.