This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
Kenya's health workers are facing increasing risks as the country battles the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest figures from the Ministry of Health reveal that two of the three fatalities recorded on Wednesday were health workers.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe expressed concern over the rising numbers, stating, "As you all know; we have lost two healthcare workers to covid-19. This is like losing a soldier in the middle of a battle. Therefore, we need to keep our medical personnel as safe as possible. Besides providing them with protective gear, we have also continually addressed their welfare needs."
These deaths bring the total number of health workers who have succumbed to the virus to ten, out of the 723 who have tested positive since the outbreak in March.
With the number of infected health workers representing three percent of the total case load, unions are intensifying calls for more support for those on the front line. They are demanding adequate personal protective equipment, employment of more health workers, psychological support, timely payment of allowances, and training on Covid-19 management.
