To Governors, those beds you are setting them in your homes will not treat you - KMPDU

KMPDU officials press in Nairobi

Medics are thrown to mourning again after two more medical workers died of Covid-19, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board chairperson Dr Samuel Oroko states.

The first was gynaecologist Dr Adisa Lugalika who died on Thursday of Covid-19 brings the total to three.

Dr Oroko urged the government to come clear on the matter of settlement of bills by healthcare workers who get admitted due to Covid-19 starting with the Dr Adisa Lugalika bill.


"Unfortunately, we have lost our own," he said.


Oroko on Saturday said health care workers should not have to pay the bills.

"We emphasize that the compensation package for health workers must be implemented. It is not a request. It is a demand that health care workers are protected or they will choose other options including staying in their own houses," he said.



The union urged the public to continue adhering to the containment measures in place and realize that COVID-19 is real.


Dr Oroka also urges the state in prioritising of PPE distribution.

"The government has a responsibility to ensure the safety of front line health workers is addressed comprehensively," KMPDU acting secretary-general Dr Chibanzi Mwachonda said.


"To Kenyans, the disease is real. You have a responsibility to protect not just yourselves but we the health care workers. No amount of money will compensate a family for the loss of their loved one. It is our civic duty to protect Kenyans, and these Kenyans are our relatives. The death of one of our own injures our morale."



Dr Mwachonda said the union offered a proposal to the Senate ad hoc committee to have a dedicated isolation facility for front line health workers at KU Teaching and Referral Hospital and in the counties but that is yet to be done.


"We have been soldering on hoping as we go on we will have a dedicated facility. The government should consider waiving the cost of testing kits to ensure the cost of testing to Kenyans is affordable," he said.


Dr Mwachonda said Dr Adisa contracted the virus from a colleague who had contracted the virus from a patient.


"For those governors who are setting up ICU beds in their own houses, they should know that the beds will not treat them. They should think about poor Kenyans who voted for them but can't afford the same luxury," he said.