Medics strike halts business at Kenyatta

The country’s main referral hospital is handling emergency operations only as the strike by trainee doctors continues. Read (More doctors vow to join strike)

Kenyatta National Hospital deputy director Simeon Monda on Wednesday said the number of patients at the casualty wing had dropped from 600 to between 100 and 150 daily.

He said patients were no longer going to the hospital because of a perception that no services were being offered, which had eased pressure on the few available consultants.

“Although consultants are assisting, some doctors in critical areas such as the Intensive Care Unit are working longer hours,” said Dr Monda.

The 393 trainee doctors, known as registrars, were suspended by Medical Services minister Anyang’ Nyong’o.

Dr Monda said two of the 168 government-sponsored registrars had returned to work while four others were expected soon.

“The salaries of those who resumed duty have been reinstated and notices to evict them from their houses have been withdrawn,” he said.

Dr Monda said the government was adamant that the privately-sponsored registrars would not be paid the Sh92,000 stipend they were demanding as they were not on the payroll.

The strike has forced patients to seek treatment at private hospitals.

At Eldoret Hospital, a private health centre in the town, the general ward was full.

In Nakuru, the Catholic-run St Mary’s Mission Hospital was a hive of activity and doctors said the number of patients had more than doubled.

Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital medical superintendent John Murima denied claims that operations had ground to a halt.

“We are not on strike. If anything, we are operating normally and no patient has been turned away,” he said.

A check by the Nation, however, revealed a different state of affairs as the hospital had no patients and the few who turned up soon left.

At Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, four Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union officials were suspended for participating in the strike.

Dr Mogeni Mogaka (secretary), Dr Mathew Koech (chairman), Dr Evans Rono (member) and Dr Thomas Mugwi (national executive council representative) were also asked to hand over hospital property.

“It has been found necessary that you be suspended from performing the function of your office with immediate effect pending the determination of your case,” read their suspension letter. “You are therefore required to stay away from hospital premises and to immediately surrender your nametag to the chief security officer,” added the letter.

The doctors picked their letters but vowed to move to court to oppose the move saying it was their constitutional right to demand better pay.