{Doctors have said they will continue with their strike until their demands are met.}
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union Secretary-General Ouma Oluga said on a radio talk show Tuesday that Kenyans are entitled to quality and adequately paid doctors.
He made the remarks on the second day of the medics’ countrywide strike.
The doctors are pushing for promotions, better pay and a review of job groups under a collective bargaining agreement signed in 2013.
The strike has paralysed health services in public hospitals across the country.
By Monday evening, at least seven patients had died while thousands were discharged prematurely.
Patients seeking treatment at public hospitals have been forced to turn to private hospitals for services.
In the North Rift region, private hospitals had to recall staff who were on leave to cope with the increase in the number of patients seeking help.
Wards at Kerugoya Referral Hospital in Kirinyaga County were deserted after relatives transferred patients to private health facilities.
Patients were turned away Tuesday morning as there were no health workers at the hospital.
“We had to go back home after being informed that clinical officers have also downed their tools,” said Njeri Kariuki, a patient.
The casualty and emergency department of Kilifi County Referral Hospital remained closed for the second day running.
Several people who had taken family members to the hospital for treatment had to turn to private hospitals instead.
“I have come with my grandfather from Matsangoni but the emergency [department] is closed. One nurse we found in the premises said medics were on strike. I am taking him to a private hospital.
“This is the only health facility that we mainly depend on. I want this strike to end because we don’t have money to seek medical services in private hospitals,” said Zawadi Kenga.
In one ward, relatives were attending to their loved ones as a nurse kept an eye on them. However, security guards chased away reporters who were trying to access the area.
At one point, members of the news media were barred by the security guards from entering the hospital, with the guards saying they were acting on orders from management.
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