The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentist Union (KMPDU) has called out recently elected Governors over what they termed as publicity stunts and intimidation of health workers.
In a statement, the union stated that the Governors sworn in on August 25, 2022, are using stunts to convince members of the public that they are doing their jobs when they have made no substantive contribution to health sectors in their counties.
“We observe the trend: Governors visit health centres and hospitals, parade health workers, decry poor state, intimidate health workers and all sorts of PR stunts. We will not stop you, but while at it make your contributions to the health care sector in your country,” the statement reads in parts.
We observe the trend; Governors visit health centres & hospitals, parade health workers, decry poor state, intimidate health workers & all sorts of PR stunts. We will not stop you, but while at it make your contributions to the health care sector in your counties.
— KMPDU (@kmpdu) September 9, 2022
The union additionally weighed in on healthcare status across the counties noting that governors should fight tooth and nail to make healthcare work in their counties.
“We ask you to make those county hospitals your first point of call when you fall ill and not run for covers or to the city. Make healthcare work in your Counties BY HIRING & TRAINING DOCTORS. Remit NHIF and other statutory deductions,
“Threats to health workers are outdated. Equip and facilitate service delivery with adequate funding. Pay doctors and healthcare workers on time. When the end of your terms, remember you may wish you did better. Helicopters, Airstrips, and Roads will not treat you,” the statement added.
While taking a swipe at the county heads for neglecting their duties, KMPDU further underscored that the county bosses should offer better leadership and governance rather than sell themselves high through praises aired across media platforms.
“Prioritize peoples’ health as part of your populist projects. Erecting expensive billboards, praising yourselves on TV and newspaper adverts, setting up unnecessary offices, buying new furniture and cars may seem stylish,” they stated.
They added: “But know Kenyans loathe these because as you do it, it’s at the expense of their health. When you fail to pay salaries & buy drugs all the while pointing fingers at doctors, it is inhuman,”
