December 21 local time, more than 43,000 medical workers in Kenya, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and county health supervisors, began a nationwide collective strike to protest against Kenya’s Ministry of Health’s failure to address the lack of protective equipment and health insurance for front-line health workers.
Some medical staff who participated in the strike went to Kisi County, Kenya, on the funeral of 28-year-old doctor Stephen Mogusu, who died of COVID-19 two weeks ago.
Dr. Zipongzi Muwachongda, Acting Secretary of the Kenyan Federation of Doctors, Pharmacists and Dentistry, said at the funeral that despite the Kenyan Ministry of Health’s dismissal warnings of striking medical personnel, doctors’ concerns are reasonable that unless the government provides them with comprehensive health insurance and adequate personal protective equipment, the strike will not stop. .
Dr. Mowachongda pointed out that Kenya’s medical resources are scarce, medical personnel strike to protect their own lives, and there is no political purpose; trade unions are still willing to engage in constructive discussions with the government to end the deadlock.
