Gov’t under fire for failing to fix COVID-19 crisis as doctor dies

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KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Chibanzi Mwachonda during a past briefing./COURTESY

Kenya Medical practitioners and Dentists union (KMPDU) has launched an onslaught against politicians and government for what it term as  unwillingness to fix the COVID-19 crisis rocking the country.

The attack was elicited by the demise of a 28 year old  medic, Stephen Mogusu who succumbed to COVID-19 on Monday.

Dr. Mogusu who was stationed at Machakos county, succumbed while at Kenyatta university Teaching and Referral Hospital.

He  stayed for five months without pay, according to KMPDU Secretary General Chibanzi Mwachonda .

Mwachonda blasted leaders and the government as a whole for being insensitive, by failing to purview   COVID-19 crisis hitting the frontline  care health care workers as an urgent matter.

“Am bleeding inside because of the state of health care workers in this country,” Mwachonda said.

“I would like to caution the political leadership in this country, do not make insensitive remarks against frontline workers, who are risking their lives, to save Kenyans and save this country, if going to work will kill us, the 21st of December we are going to stay out of work,” Mwachonda warned.

Opposition chief Raila Odinga reportedly asserted that there was need for doctors to be patient over burning issues following the fact that the country is in an economic turmoil.

On the other hand Deputry President William Ruto said that the coronavirus needs special attention as the  pandemic has plunged Kenya into serious economic crisis.

“To deal with these challenges that threaten our survival, we must start by focusing on how to deal with the health pandemic,” Ruto said.

He hinted that it could be handled by ensuring that healthcare workers, especially the frontline, are protected and their issues duly taken care of.

He spoke on Tuesday in Ainamoi Constituency in Kericho County during the funeral service of Lieutenant-General (rtd) John Koech.

Mwachonda, turned the heat to ministry of health demanding that it settles the bills of Dr Mogusu, further accusing it and the Council of Governors for failing to attend the third constitutive consultative  meeting meant to resolve the crisis.

“We are mourning as doctors fraternity in this country, we as health care workers demand that the Ministry of Health, take full responsibility for all outstanding medical bills and compensation to the family,” Mwanchonda demanded.

He warned that the industrial strike they initiated stands, despite the fact that they postponed it for 14 days to allow for dialogue, presumptively supporting the ongoing industrial strike by the nurses and clinical officers across the country.

“We suspended our industrial strike for 14 days, 13 days to go today, if these issues will not be resolved, be lest assured that the KMPDU will embark on a national strike on 21st of December with no further notice, we will not accept to be on suicide mission, we will not be blackmailed,” Mwachonda said.

The stand off between the medical fraternity and the government is simmering  as the number of COVID-19 cases stand at 89,100 while death toll is at 1,545.

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