Seth Panyako addressing the media. [Photo/Business daily]
The latest report from UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) indicates that malnourishment has worsened in Kenya for the last three months following the nurses' strike that has run for over 100 days.
Drought hit counties which include; Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, West Pokot, Tana River and Kilifi have recorded the highest number of malnutrition cases since the strike began.
“Response is underway to the deteriorating nutrition situation in other countries and while the situation in northern and central Somalia remains of concern the nurses’ strike in Kenya continues to impact the response,” Unicef said in a report on Thursday.
Nurses in public hospitals run malnutrition feeding programmes in areas with high levels of malnutrition.They do record the number of cases, prescribe correct foods and follow up on the malnourished children.
As of June 2017, the number of malnutrition cases stood at 47,986 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and 91,319 children with moderate acute malnutrition a significant decrease as compared to 2015/2016.
“Without nurses in health facilities the system is broken and nothing can be done about this thing (malnutrition) but no one seems to care.” said Panyako. Nurses downed their tools in early June protesting for salary increment and better working condition but their efforts has proofed futile as County government has failed to honour their grievances.