Agony for patients as Kilifi nurses strike enters day tow

Patients in Kilifi county are bearing the brunt of the nurses strike that entered its second day on Thursday.

The strike was called by the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN) to protest against poor working conditions and other unresolved issues with the county government.

The industrial action has paralysed services leading to premature discharge of patients.

At Kilifi County Referral Hospital and Malindi sub county hospital, a section of patients were discharged on Wednesday as doctors were only attending to emergency cases.

Masha Baya, a resident of Kasufini in Malindi, said his father Kazungu Thoya, was admitted to Malindi sub-county hospital on Tuesday evening with chest pains and difficulty in breathing but was forcefully discharged on Wednesday afternoon after the nurses went on strike.

''My 75-years-old father was discharged when his condition had not improved and could not walk. The nurses wrote us a discharge note and told me that no one will take care of him since all the nurses are going on strike and doctors cannot readily offer help,'' said Baya."We were shocked when they gave us the bill and told us to clear it because our father was being discharged,” he added.

Baya said they said they decided to take their father back home.

Another resident Emmanuel Ngowa said his brother John Kitsao who has kidney complications, was admitted to Malindi sub-county hospital two weeks ago but was also discharged on Wednesday in critical condition.

Ngowa said he is in a dilemma because he could not transfer his brother to other health facilities due to financial challenges.

He was forced to leave Kitsao in the ward without care despite being given the discharge note.

''I told them I could not take him home because he might die there due to his condition. I decided to leave him there without care as I look for money so that I can transfer him to a private facility,'' said Ngowa.

At the Kilifi County Referral Hospital, a pregnant woman nearly gave birth in the corridors of the maternity ward on Wednesday evening before she was helped by nursing students.

''We arrived here with my sister but we were told to go to a private clinic because the nurses are on strike. But before we could leave, she was overwhelmed and some nursing students came and assisted her to deliver," said Kadzo Katana.

KNUN Kilifi branch secretary Derick Abdalla said they had issued a seven-day strike notice.

Abdalla noted their grievances include delayed promotions, arrears, inadequate medical cover and salary delays.

''There are some promotions that were delayed. Another issue is medical cover. Our members are dissatisfied with the cover that is currently being provided. They are experiencing challenges when they need medical services," he said.

''We are also seeking a refund or benefit that accrues as a result of training where the employer was supposed to pay the fees. But our members paid from their pockets but so far the employer has not refunded them." he said.