Nationwide nurses strike has taken its toll on citizens Photo/Al Jazeera
Citizens living in Taita Taveta and Kwale counties in need of medical services are now looking to towards Tanzania for medical treatment following the ongoing nurses strike.
As a result of the nationwide strike, health services in public hospitals have been brought to a halt.
One victim named Dominic, aged 72, was forced to seek medical attention in Tanzania after suffering gangrene diabetic foot. His leg was later amputated after the disease spread.
“The amputation was done in Moshi Hospital. He used to go to Mwatate Sub-County Hospital but when nurses boycotted duties his health deteriorated. We decided to rush him to Tanzania for treatment. He could have died hadn’t we rushed him to Moshi where he is recuperating,” said his son, Peter as quoted by the Daily Nation.
Peter who also works in the medical field claims several Kenyans have been forced to travel to Tanzania for medical attention.
The Kenya National Union of Nurses Mombasa branch secretary Peter Maroko claims the nurses have not received their salaries for the months of July and August.
“Don’t go back to work, stay put and fight for your rights. We must pressurize those who are working to join us. We will resume if we get a return to work formula,” said Mr Maroko.