This archive report was first published on 3 August 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Kenya, with over 20,000 cases reported, the National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) has sounded the alarm over the county governments' lack of preparedness to handle the crisis.
On August 2, 2020, a nurse, Marian Awour Adumbo, succumbed to COVID-19 complications at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, bringing the total number of healthcare workers to have died due to COVID-19 to three in a span of five months.
According to NNAK, Marian was initially admitted to Homabay County Hospital with flu-like symptoms in pregnancy, where she tested negative for COVID-19 a week ago. However, she later developed breathing complications and was transferred to Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, where another test confirmed her positive for COVID-19.
NNAK has urged both the national and county governments to take immediate action to address the concerns of healthcare workers, including the provision of adequate and quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), proper training for all healthcare workers on managing COVID-19, adequate psychosocial support, and the employment of more healthcare workers in all 47 counties.
"We have realized that county governments are not prepared to handle COVID-19. Our demands are still not met, and what we need is action and less word for the benefit of our healthcare workers and our people," said NNAK through a statement.
