At a time when working health systems are crucial, More than 800 nurses have issued a two days strike notice because of delayed salary payment and shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). About 60 doctors have also complained of a lack of money after the government failed to pay them.
The nurses who are from Homabay County have threatened to down their tools come Thursday should the government fail to address their grievances.
The Homa Bay branch National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) through their secretary Omondi Nyonje and chairperson Dina Pinya said the two issues are important in their lives especially as they fight Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We agreed we would get paid before the fifth of every month but our employer hasn’t complied. We’ll not go to work from Thursday if they don’t pay us,” Nyonje said.
In their letter to Homa Bay health department and copied to the Finance office and that of the county secretary Isaiah, the nurses said they have not yet received the salary for March.
“You cannot work when you’re hungry. Let Homa Bay government pay nurses to avoid squabbles which may result to strike,” he added.
Nurses at a number of health facilities in the country have also decried about not receiving adequate PPEs as required to protect them from coronavirus.
Pinya said the county government distributes only 150 masks daily to the health staff. “Shortage of masks, other personal protective equipment, and lack of money is making the working environment demoralizing,” Pinya said.
The nurses argue that the county government has adequate PPEs but they do not know why they are not distributed to medics to use.
“The demand for masks has increased especially in hospitals. Nurses are on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 hence they should get protected,” she added.
however, the county health Chief Officer Gerald Akeche said they are planning to engage the medical workers in talks to address the issues. Akeche said the delayed salary remittance is due to the prevailing economic situation.
“We’re communicating with all health workers and I hope they will soon get paid. It’s important to note that this is the time we need to fight the COVID-19 pandemic collectively,” Akeche said.
The absence of nurses from hospitals will paralyze health care services in Homa Bay especially the fight against coronavirus.
