This archive report was first published on 12 September 2019.
Published on September 12, 2019, a health crisis is unfolding in Kisumu, Kenya, as county staff and health workers have downed their tools in protest of unpaid salaries and benefits.
Health workers have warned the public to stay away from public hospitals, stating that all professionals have stopped working. Those who attend to patients are not professionals, and patients are advised to seek services in private hospitals.
"We are warning the public to stay away from public hospitals. Whoever will attend to you is not a professional, all professionals are away from work. If you have a sick relative, take them to a private hospital," said Kenya Union of Clinical Officers Kisumu branch chairman Mr Vincent Owaa.
The boycott comes after a seven-day notice to the county expired, and health workers have vowed to tighten the rope if their demands are not met. They are demanding full payment of July and August salaries, remittance of loan and statutory deductions to banks, and the implementation of promotions.
"This will be the mother of all strikes. We will not be cowed to resume duties until our demands are met," said Kenya National Union of Nurses' (KNUN) branch secretary Mr Maurice Opetu.
Patients in hospitals within the county have been left in agony, with many opting to leave the hospitals unattended. Devolved civil servants in the county have also joined the boycott due to the pending pay of July and August salary and failure in remittance of NHIF deductions.
