No ICU spaces left across the country, KMPDU warns
The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has warned that there are no spaces left within Intensive Care Units (ICUs) across the country.
The acting Secretary General/CEO Chibanzi Mwachonda has today urged all members of the public and the political leadership to adhere to Covid-19 protocols to save healthcare workers.
“The rising numbers of Covid-19 infections have not spared healthcare workers. 10 doctors are currently admitted to various hospitals yet we are at a point where we need many doctors in the counties,” he said during a Press conference.
It’s one year since the declaration of the first case of Covid-19, KMPDU says that Kenya is at the tipping point of the pandemic.
“The union has noted with concern the rising numbers of Covid-19 and mortalities in the current wave and the general state of laxity in adherence to Covid-19 measures in the country,” stated the statement.
He reiterated that rising number of infections will lead to a high caseload and overwhelm the already stretched healthcare system as evidenced by the lack of adequate ICU units and personnel to handle severe Covid-19 cases.
Mwachoda also noted that the acute shortage of doctors across the country is detrimental to health services delivery amidst the pandemic.
“March 2021 has recorded an increase in healthcare workers infection and this indicates the need for extra precaution by members of the public seeking healthcare services in hospitals,” he said.
The union urged the Ministry of health and National Treasury to fast-track the contract renewal process of the 156 hired to work in isolation and treatment centers across the country.
On vaccination, Mwachoda expressed support for the vaccine roll-out but noted that there has been low uptake due to the non-involvement, sensitization and awareness amongst healthcare workers.
He however stated that the union will embark on a nationwide campaign to increase vaccine uptake by engaging with its members.
“The ministry of health and county governments should scale up training and risk communication and education to tackle vaccine hesitancy through the healthcare workers representative bodies,” Mwachonda said.
