[Hospital beds without patients. Photo/KNA.)
Marsabit public hospitals have suspended in-patient services due to the strike by nurses and clinical officers, which has paralyzed operations.
Patients have now opted to seek treatment at private hospitals.
Medical superintendent at county referral hospital, Abshiro Hapicha said 15 clinicians and 60 nurses working at the facility are on strike, which has led to the drop in the number of patients.
Hapicha said the hospital will attend emergencies due to lack of staff qualified to treat other cases.
"We can't admit patients due to the ongoing strike. Our referral facility has only four patients in the wards," he said.
He noted that county officials are ongoing with talks with the striking workers to persuade them resume work.
"We hope the ongoing talks will reach an agreement so residents get services," he added.
Hapicha lauded the county governor Mohammed Ali for not threatening to sack the striking health workers and this will ease negotiations.
"Threatening the striking workers will not reach an agreement and patients will continue to suffering", he noted.
He said patients in the county should seek medical attention registered private clinics as the strike is on.