Bungoma Doctors down tools

Services at Bungoma county hospital have been paralyzed for the second day today after doctors downed their tools yesterday over lack of promotions delayed salaries among other issues.

Doctors’ union western Kenya branch, Secretary General Anthony Akoto has vowed the doctors will not return to work, until all their grievances are addressed.

This follows a mega strike of health workers in the same county that took place in the month of June which led to the death of 11 people.

Reports indicate that over 30 patients have died since the strike by health workers began by June this year, including doctors and nurses.

This is not the first time that doctors have downed their tools agitating for better working conditions and pay in Bungoma County.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, says doctors and medical personnel in some counties have not received salaries for the last four months.

Furthermore, the union claims that with the exception of Machakos, Wajir and Kisii counties, all the other counties have not promoted a single doctor in the two years that devolution has been in effect.

It is unacceptable to lose lives in avoidable circumstances.

Council of Governors chairman Peter Munya validated doctors’ complaints on non-payment of salaries recently by stating that the National Treasury is holding governors to ransom by failing to remit funds to the counties on time.

To date, close to 2,000 doctors have voluntarily left government service to look for greener pastures in the private sector.

In a country where only 3,300 doctors are employed against an estimated population of over 40 million people, this is worrying.

However, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia does not appear duly perturbed by this and has tried to downplay the doctor exodus, terming it a product of media sensationalism.

With good structures in place that ensure fair play, better pay, deserved promotions, availability of medical stores and a promising career, it does not really matter who controls the health functions as long as everything runs fluidly.

Governors are beholden to put the interests of the county first, nobody should die or suffer from disease because there was no doctor or nurse to help out.

By Reuben Wanyama