Patients in more pain and agony as Bungoma nurses' strike enters day five

The strike by the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM) in Bungoma County has entered day five, paralysing hospital operations.

The strike that has inflicted more pain and suffering on patients comes after the county government failed to act upon a 21-day notice issued on December 18, 2024.

Patients seeking health assistance have expressed their disappointment with Governor Kenneth Lusaka’s administration for failing to address the nurses' demands, noting that the strike has left them with more pain and agony.

“We have lost 7 babies already, how many more lives should be lost for the county government to listen?” said an agitated Mercy Akisa, a patient at the pediatric wing.

She said the strike has left many patients stranded with no one to attend to them.

"How are we supposed to get well when we have no one to care for us, we pay tax and that tax should be able to fix this nurse's grievances," said Akisa.

Comprehensive medical cover has been one of the concerns raised by the nurses saying it is unfortunate that they cannot access treatment from the same hospital they are working in forcing them to seek medication in other facilities.

Governor Lusaka has urged the striking nurses to embrace dialogue to resolve their grievances and avert further disruptions in healthcare services.

The county boss appealed to the medical personnel to prioritise the welfare of patients assuring of his administration's commitment in addressing their grievances.

“I understand the issues raised by our nurses, but I implore them to consider dialogue as the best way forward. The well-being of our people depends on a functioning healthcare system, and we must collaborate to find a solution,” said Lusaka.

The governor emphasised that healthcare remains a top priority for his administration, urging all stakeholders to work together to safeguard the health and lives of Bungoma residents.

But the union said its nurses will only resume work and attend to patients who are admitted after their issues have been resolved.

The strike comes amid a looming national nurses strike after a strike notice was issued a few days ago.

Speaking at Bungoma Pediatric Hospital, Mr David Wamalwa, the branch secretary, highlighted key issues that have been under negotiation with the Ministry of Health since 2022 but remain unresolved, forcing nurses to stay at home until their demands are met.

Wamalwa stated that the Department of Health has not engaged the union on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) they signed, a situation the union termed as undermining labour relations and collective bargaining principles.

“We are calling upon the health department to register and implement the CBA fully for the nurses to begin enjoying the benefits before we go back to work,” he said.

“The national government began the process of registering the CBA in August last year and they have already registered. They are in the process of implementation but the county government of Bungoma has not moved a single step,” he added.

According to Mr Wamalwa, the County Public Service Board sent a good number of healthcare workers home after working on a contract for over ten years and have not been paid for the last six months and this has led to about 90 per cent of them being psychologically tortured.

“As a union, we expected that the County Public Service Board would absorb our healthcare workers from the hospital board to the service board as a way of appreciating them but they have been left out disappointed,” said Wamalwa

He urged the public service board to reconsider their decision by absorbing and giving them their number for their payment to be processed on time.

The secretary-general further said the Ministry should consider employing more nurses to reduce the current shortage they are experiencing.

“The health executive has been moving around upgrading health care facilities and today Bungoma County Referral Hospital is at level 5 receiving Sh300 million equitable shares but the current staff is of a level 3 hospital. We want a replacement for the retired nurses and increase the number from the current 180 to about 500 nurses,” he said.

Mr Wamalwa further stressed that the county government should take the data of every healthcare worker and promote those that have qualified, a move he said will boost their morale and dedication to work.