This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
Coast Provincial General Hospital in Mombasa was deserted on Saturday as doctors and nurses continued their strike over non-payment of July salaries.
More than 800 health workers, who are among the over 4,000 county staff on strike, have brought critical services to a standstill.
Despite the hospital administration's efforts to discharge patients, some decided to stay in the wards until the health workers resume duties.
“Some (patients) are being discharged whereas others are still in the wards but no services are being offered,” said a security officer at the hospital.
The strike, which started on Friday, has left patients in a dire situation, with the Intensive Care Unit, Maternity Unit, and general wards being the hardest hit.
“Those are critical areas that cannot operate without doctors. The situation is dire,” said a doctor on strike.
Deputy Governor William Kingi claimed he was unaware of the situation, saying, “I know there is a strike but I do not know why or whether patients are being discharged from CPGH.”
At the ICU, patients have been left under the care of two volunteer nurses, who said, “There are only two of us here, the strike is real.”
The maternity wing was also affected, with pregnant women being seen coming out of the ward, saying, “There are no health workers to help expectant mothers deliver.”
Accident victims at the Orthopaedic Surgical Ward number 8 were seen lying on the bed, with one patient saying, “I have not received any medicine today, I’m in pain.”
Despite the sorry situation, the Kenya National Union of Nurses Mombasa branch Secretary Stanley Mwailogho said the strike would not be called off until the workers get their pay.
The Kenya County Government Workers Union Mombasa branch Secretary, Mr Hajj Mwinyi, said a meeting to solve the stalemate did not bear any fruits on Friday.
