Patients in Matuga constituency, Kwale County, are experiencing limited access to healthcare services following a nationwide strike by clinical officers.
Several patients who arrived early at the Kwale County Hospital seeking treatment were left stranded after failing to receive the requisite medical attention.
Among them was Kashi Kassim, a mother who had brought her child over chest and lung-related illnesses.
Another patient, Evans Tengea, said the strike has affected service delivery in several local health facilities, leaving the majority of residents with various illnesses uncertain about where to seek medical help.
Tengea said, “Some patients have opted to seek services in private hospitals, but for those of us without money, we are stranded. We want the government to intervene and listen to the clinicians because people are suffering.”
He added that it was his second visit to the facility without receiving any medical care due to the ongoing strike, amid reports that only emergency cases were receiving some attention.
Contacted for comment, the County Executive for Health, Francis Gwama, confirmed the ongoing strike but assured residents that healthcare services in the county had not come to a complete halt.
Gwama explained that they had put in place alternative measures to ensure continuity of services. “We have deployed other staff to ensure that crucial services continue running, especially theater operations. We have also scheduled a meeting on Friday to discuss the way forward as we await direction and feedback from the Ministry of Health,” he said.
The County Executive further noted that the matter was currently before the court and was even mentioned during a recent hearing, adding that the county now awaits further legal direction on the issue.
“At the moment, neither the county officials nor the department has the capacity to address the grievances being raised, as negotiations are ongoing. So far, we have held three engagements on this matter,” he said.
Gwama reassured the public that essential health services remain available across the county, emphasizing that the strike only involves clinical officers.
“I want the general public to know that health services are still being offered in our hospitals. Our facilities continue to operate with medical officers, nurses, laboratory services, blood supply, and other essential health personnel available.
Therefore, the absence of clinical officers has not brought healthcare services in the county to a standstill,” he said.
By Chari Suche
