Barely a month after Nduru Level 4 Hospital in Nyamarambe Sub-County, Kisii was closed following an attack on healthcare workers by a rowdy mob on April 12, 2023 while trying to transfer unused medical equipment to other facilities facing shortages, the health facility has been reopened.
The opening was agreed upon following a consultative meeting with officials from the National and the County Government, healthcare workers’ union representatives, and security agencies.
Speaking to the press in Kisii town, area County Commissioner, Tom Anjere, lauded the healthcare workers who had downed their tools two days after the attack, for agreeing to resume duty.
Anjere said they had put in place adequate arrangements to provide the facility with 24-hour security and deploy additional security personnel in all Level 4 hospitals in the County, to ensure that the healthcare workers operate uninterrupted.
“We have therefore instructed the Sub- County security teams to also have regular meetings with medics’ unions and hospital administration in their respective Sub-counties with a view of ensuring that there are no gaps as far as matters of security are concerned,” he noted.
The County Commissioner warned the political class against involving themselves in activities that are likely to cause disharmony within the County, saying those found culpable will be sanctioned.
Anjere also urged the political leaders to strive towards providing constructive ideas, as far as matters of development are concerned in the county.
Kisii Deputy Governor, Dr. Robert Monda, noted the residents who seek health services at the facility had been greatly affected by its closure and called on them to avoid participating in disruptions, that lead to their own suffering, as well as mishandling public servants.
“With the assurance from the County Commissioner, security is guaranteed and deployment of security personnel at Nduru Level 4 Hospital and other Level 4 and 5 hospitals will be 24 hours,” Dr. Monda told the healthcare workers.
He cautioned the local politicians against taking matters into their hands, saying they should use the proper channels in place, to air out their grievances.
The healthcare workers’ union representatives, said that if the lives of their staff will be at stake, then they will not hesitate to withdraw their services or choose to be deployed in other areas where safety is guaranteed.
The unions also urged the youth to avoid being used by politicians to cause commotion and restlessness, adding that politicians should avoid interfering with health matters.
The nurses and clinical officers are set to embark on performing their duties on May 15, 2023, while doctors had already returned to the facility on May 9, 2023, following a directive by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union same week.
By Mercy Osongo
