After the passing on of a Kenyan doctor in Cuba, it is now apparent other Kenyan doctors in the Caribbean country are struggling.
This sad revelation came to the fore following the death of Dr Ali Juma who is a brother to Likoni MP Mishi Mboko.
Dr Juma was among 50 Kenyan doctors who were sent to Cuba by the government for further studies at the University of Medical Sciences in Havana.
He was furthering his studies in family medicine.
Dr Abidan Mwachi who is Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Coast Branch Secretary-General stated that his colleagues in studying in Cuba have lamented harsh living conditions.
In a presser, KMPDU said that they are aware of the struggles Kenyan doctors are encountering in Cuba.
“The Kenyan doctors who travelled to Cuba have been complaining through the union of poor living conditions in Cuba," he told Nairobi News.
The batch of Kenyan doctors furthering their studies in Cuba has accused the government of failing to meet their basic needs which include their monthly stipend.
Dr Mwachi cited that due to the high cost of living, the doctors have been forced to share houses and they spend a lot of money on transport since the University and place of work is far from where they stay.
“They are asking the government to intervene and address their issues. Among the issues raised are lack of money, they are sharing houses and they take two or three hours to travel to work,” added Dr Mwachi.
In the agreement with the government, the Kenyan doctors were to receive Sh36,000 monthly stipend during the two years of study in Cuba.
Mboko who is also the ODM deputy director of elections lost his brother on Sunday in unclear circumstances.
The family now awaits a postmortem report. Unconfirmed reports had earlier indicated that he committed suicide.