Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha has reacted to the trending video of a student harassing hospital staff at Port Victoria Hospital in Busia County.
In a statement on January 4, 2023, Nakhumicha strongly condemned the incident saying the perpetrator will face the full force of the law.
“Acts of violence against our healthcare workers are not only reprehensible but intolerable. Healthcare workers deserve our utmost respect as they are the backbone of our healthcare system. They work tirelessly – sometimes under challenging conditions to ensure the well-being of all citizens across
different hospital levels,” she said.
“Violence against healthcare workers will not be tolerated and any person culpable of such an act will be apprehended and face the full wrath of the law. The government remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our healthcare professionals across the country. Going forward and considering this incident, I call for mutually respectful engagements between members of the public and healthcare givers as we continue to build and maintain a robust health system,” Nakhumicha added.
The Health CS further termed the incident in Port Victoria as an assault on the entire healthcare system and the principles that guide it.
“This recent case of assault on a healthcare worker is not just an attack on an individual; it is an assault on the entire healthcare system and the principles that guide it. Assaulting a healthcare worker not only endangers their lives but also disrupts the vital services they provide to other patients and the community,” Nakhumicha said.
The health CS additionally commended the healthcare worker for remaining calm and composed during the incident, urging healthcare seekers to maintain civility whilst interacting with healthcare workers.
“I want to commend the medic involved for displaying such remarkable composure and professionalism during the incident. We cannot understate the importance of maintaining civility while interacting with healthcare workers. They are our frontline heroes who work under high-demanding environments to deliver standard healthcare services to patients from all walks of life. To have this dedication met with violence is disheartening and erodes the fabric of our healthcare infrastructure,” she said.
Flurry of reactions
The student identified as Vanessa Ogema was seen in an undated video harassing hospital staff over what she termed as failure to attend to a patient.
Amid the commotion, Ogema, who caused havoc by throwing files on the floor and hitting a table, was heard telling the nurse that she would call a powerful politician from the area.
The National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNA-Kenya) condemned the attack on the nurse, terming the incident as extreme and uncalled for.
