Doctors warn of maternal health crisis as medics strike persists
Medical professionals in Kenya are warning of a maternal health crisis caused by an ongoing strike by nurses and clinical officers. Hospitals are struggling to manage a surge of critical cases as patients are unable to access routine care.
Why it matters
The strike is creating a public health emergency, specifically impacting maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the region.
Chairman of North Rift branch of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS) Dr Richard Mogeni speaking in Eldoret
Doctors have warned of a crisis in maternal healthcare with many mothers and children left exposed owing to the ongoing strike by nurses, clinical officers and other medical workers.
The doctors who are members of the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS) say pregnant women are now being forced to deliver at home or in risky situations because they are unable access hospital services.
Chairman of KOGS North Rift branch Dr Richard Mogeni said the crisis in the health sector is unbearable and regretted that counties were taking advantage of the situation to illegally hire personnel.
“We are saying is enough is enough and we ask the President to turn attention to this matter in order to save lives,“ Mogeni said.
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