Patients desert Kisii hospital
Doctors march to the Ministry of health headquarters demanding to be addressed by Minister for Medical services Prof Anyang' Nyongo yest. The doctors are demanding for the implementation of return to work formula agreed in December 2011 and improvement in healthcare in the country with improved infrastructure, employment of aditional personnel and stocking of hospitals with drugs facilitated by the annual disbursement of 15.94 billion shillings. Photo/ Jack Owuor
The Kisii Level Five Hospital has been deserted by patients following the ongoing doctors’ strike. A survey by the Star yesterday revealed that a few of those who visited the facility for treatment returned home since there was no doctor to attend to them.
The hospital’s medical superintended Geoffrey Otomu said the number of patients visiting the facility has been reducing drastically since the strike started last week: “We are used to receiving several patients, but the number has reduced drastically because of the strike,” Otomu said.
He said the facility’s 28 medical doctors and 12 specialists have downed their tools since the strike began. He however said patients admitted in the hospital's wards are being attended to by clinicians and nurses. “The boycott has really denied patients services but there is little we can do since it a nationwide problem,” he said.
“Patients who are admitted in various wards are receiving services from clinicians and nurses on daily basis.” Otomu expressed hope that the government will resolve the issue soon.