This archive report was first published on 9 June 2020.
Published on June 9, 2020, by Sarah Nanjala
Kenya is grappling with a growing number of health workers infected by Covid-19, with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) raising alarm over the rising cases.
According to KMPDU Acting Secretary General Dr Chibanzi Mwachonda, more than 80 health workers in various hospitals across the country have been infected with the virus, with over 60 percent of the infections being work-related.
Dr Mwachonda noted that health workers were being infected at hospital quarantine sites after coming into contact with coronavirus patients.
“The infection of healthcare workers with Covid-19 is on the rise, with our latest data showing that 81 health workers have been infected. A majority of these infections are from contact with infected patients, which further reinforces our concern over the provision of adequate and quality personal protective equipment (PPEs),” Dr Mwachonda said.
The counties with the highest number of infected health workers are Mombasa (41 cases), Nairobi (31), and Kiambu (4). Cases have also been recorded in Nyeri, Kitui, Machakos, Laikipia, and Kajiado counties.
Health Secretary Mutahi Kagwe acknowledged the risk faced by healthcare workers, saying, “Our healthcare workers, being the frontline soldiers in this fight, are at a greater risk of contracting the disease. These are the people putting their lives on the line to protect the nation. We salute them.”
With increasing infections across the country, the national government has also raised alarm over Covid-19 designated hospitals surpassing their capacity, particularly those at the county level.
Dr Mwachonda noted that the current isolation bed capacity of these hospitals across the country is about 1,000, indicating that an expansion will also require an increase in the workforce.
He added, “We applaud the move by the government in expanding hospital capacity to 300 beds in each county. However, there is a need to have a matching number of healthcare workers at these new facilities. Although the country is increasing its level of preparedness, not all counties are prepared.”
The Union noted that an additional 1000 nurses, 360 clinical officers, 527 laboratory personnel, and 636 doctors across the three cadres (pharmacists, dentists, and medical doctors) will be required for counties to be well prepared for a surge in infections.
