This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
On July 12, 2020, Kenya's healthcare workers were in the spotlight as they urged the government to take immediate action to protect them from COVID-19.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPPDU) led the call, citing the high occupational risks faced by healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
Speaking at a news conference, KMPPDU Secretary-General Chibanzi Mwachonda emphasized the need for a comprehensive insurance and compensation package for doctors and other healthcare workers who have contracted the virus while on duty.
"We understand the risk, we understand the prognosis, and we understand the disease," Mwachonda said. "There is no amount of money that can compensate a family for the loss of their loved one."
The union's call comes after the country lost its first medical doctor to COVID-19, highlighting the urgent need for special protective equipment for medical doctors.
Acting Director-General of Health Patrick Amoth sought to calm rising concerns on the safety of healthcare workers, assuring that the government stands firmly with them and has provided capacity building, PPEs, and moral and psychological support.
