This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Kenyan Doctor Dies of COVID-19, Union Demands Better Protection for Frontline Workers ¶
Dr. Doreen Lugaliki, a 38-year-old Kenyan doctor, has become the first Kenyan doctor to succumb to COVID-19. She was an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at The Nairobi South Hospital and had been admitted to the Aga Khan Hospital ICU unit.
According to a post on social media by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Dr. Lugaliki contracted the virus while at work. The union has mourned her death, reiterating the need for the government to protect frontline workers.
Dr. Lugaliki's colleagues, led by Dr. Ouma Oluga, described her as a diligent doctor whose best years were yet to come. They expressed their condolences to her family and the entire medical fraternity.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Health announced 447 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the country's case load closer to the 9,000 mark.
As the country continues to grapple with the pandemic, the KMPDU has called on the government to prioritize the welfare and occupational safety of frontline workers.
Dr. Lugaliki's death serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by healthcare workers during the pandemic.
