Private hospitals in Garissa county have been overwhelmed by the number of patients flocking there as the nurses’ strike continues.
Sisters Maternity Home, an NGO-sponsored facility that offers subsidised health services to Garissa residents, is now handling more than 15 patients daily from an average of three before the strike.
Hospital director Romana Noor on Friday said, “We have been receiving several patients from public hopitals in the past three days. Although we mostly offer maternity services, we have been forced to provide other services to patients coming here.”
Sisters Maternity Home has been working in partnership with the Health ministry for 20 years.
Other private facilities have also reported a huge turnout of patients, but those unable to raise the money demanded are turned away.
A spot check at the Garissa County Referral Hospital revealed that patients continue to be turned away.
The latest being a rape victim from Madogo, Tana River county, who was rushed to the hospital, but had not been attended to 72 hours later. On Wednesday, a woman delivered inside a taxi after nurses at the facility refused to admit her.
The few inpatients, who by Friday had nowhere to go, remained in their hospital beds unattended.
On Thursday, the government blamed the nurses’ strike on the opposition. Government spokesman Erick Kiraithe said the nurses’ union leaders could be taking orders from some opposition politicians.
KNUN chairman John Bii has opposed the strike, saying negotiations are still going on and appear to be fruitful.
