KENYA|A section of doctors across the country are offering services in public facilities after declining to join their colleagues on the nationwide strike.
The Standard has established that doctors on contract are serving Kenyans in a number of facilities, albeit with fears of a potential attack and victimisation by their colleagues.
In Nyanza, major hospitals in Kisumu and Migori are relying on doctors on contract to offer services to patients.
A doctor in Kisumu claimed they are still offering services because the nature of their contract differs from that of their colleagues. Similarly, another doctor also confirmed that they are offering services in Kilifi because of their contractual obligations.
There is slow delivery of services at healthcare facilities due to low turnout of patients, especially at the outpatient departments.
Speaking to The Standard, Nyeri County Health Executive Joseph Kiragu said all departments were operating smoothly despite 62 doctors participating in the ongoing strike.
Out of 139 doctors, 62 are on strike, 18 are on study leave and 83 were approved for training. “All healthcare services are being offered in all our facilities. But we have a low number of patients seeking services. On Friday, we issued show-cause letters to the 62 doctors on strike and we are receiving their responses,” Dr Kiragu said.
