Isiolo County is facing growing pressure over the state of its healthcare system as doctors' industrial action enters its ninth day, leaving residents worried about access to medical services and the future of public healthcare in the county.

Healthcare workers and residents have raised concerns about what they describe as persistent challenges affecting service delivery at Isiolo County Teaching and Referral Hospital, the county's main public health facility.

According to individuals familiar with the situation, ongoing issues involving procurement, delayed salaries, staffing shortages, and management disputes have contributed to a healthcare crisis that is now affecting patients across the county.

At the center of the concerns are allegations surrounding the management of the health sector under Chief Officer for Health Mohamud Mero. Some healthcare workers claim that procurement systems within the county health department have become ineffective, leading to frequent shortages of essential medicines, medical supplies, and consumables required for day-to-day operations.

According to the claims, instead of maintaining a reliable supply chain for critical drugs and hospital supplies, health facilities have increasingly relied on emergency and ad hoc purchases to fill gaps whenever stock runs low. Critics argue that such an approach creates uncertainty in service delivery and can expose the procurement process to inefficiencies.

The concerns come at a time when the county is grappling with a doctors' strike that has significantly disrupted healthcare services.

Doctors reportedly issued a 21-day strike notice before downing their tools, citing a number of unresolved grievances. Among the issues raised are delayed payment of salaries, failure to remit statutory deductions, non-remittance of loan repayments deducted from employees' salaries, concerns relating to SHA remittances, and delays in promotions and career progression.

As the strike enters its ninth day, residents say the impact is being felt across the county's healthcare facilities.

Patients seeking treatment are reportedly facing delays, while the few healthcare workers who remain on duty are struggling to manage the increasing number of patients seeking services. Residents fear that if the impasse is not resolved quickly, vulnerable groups including expectant mothers, children, the elderly, and patients with chronic illnesses could face serious consequences.

Several residents who spoke about the situation described a healthcare system under strain, with concerns that essential services may become increasingly difficult to access if the dispute continues.

"There is growing anxiety among residents because public hospitals are the only option for many families. When doctors are on strike and supplies are limited, ordinary wananchi are the ones who suffer most," said one resident who requested anonymity.

Beyond the ongoing strike, some residents have also raised concerns regarding what they perceive as potential conflicts of interest involving private healthcare facilities operating within the county. However, these allegations remain unverified and would require investigation by the relevant authorities before any conclusions can be drawn.

The crisis has also sparked criticism of the county leadership, with some residents expressing frustration over what they consider an inadequate response to the healthcare challenges facing the county.

According to residents, there is a growing perception that county leaders have not engaged sufficiently with healthcare workers and the public to address the concerns raised by doctors and other health professionals.

Calls are now mounting for urgent intervention from both county and national authorities.

Residents and healthcare workers are appealing to the Isiolo County Government, the Ministry of Health, the Public Service Commission, the Social Health Authority, and other oversight agencies to investigate the issues affecting the county's health sector and ensure that essential healthcare services are restored.

They are also calling for the prompt payment of healthcare workers, settlement of outstanding deductions and remittances, restoration of medical supplies, and implementation of long-term measures to strengthen healthcare delivery across the county.

For many residents, the issue goes beyond politics or administrative disputes. They argue that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right and that the people of Isiolo deserve functioning hospitals, motivated healthcare workers, adequate medical supplies, and responsive leadership.

As the strike continues and pressure mounts on county authorities to find a solution, residents say they hope urgent action will be taken before the situation deteriorates further and more patients are affected.