Health services in Nairobi hospitals paralysed as doctors demand pay
What you need to know:
- The doctors said the delayed payment of January salaries worsened the situation.
- They also expressed concerns about their insurance coverage, which they said was activated on Tuesday instead of the ninth of the month as they requested.
Hundreds of patients who rely on Nairobi County hospitals have been left with no option but to seek services elsewhere as a doctors' strike enters its 28th day.
The striking doctors have reiterated that they will not back down until the county government addresses all their demands.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, Dr Malindi Chao, Secretary of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Nairobi branch, claimed that the county lacks goodwill in addressing the plight of doctors and patients.
She said doctors returned to work previously after signing a return-to-work formula, but the employer has been slow to implement their demands.
"Out of the long list of 12 items we had, the county has managed to fulfil only one—giving us confirmation letters," Dr Chao said.
The doctors said the delayed payment of January salaries worsened the situation. They also expressed concerns about their insurance coverage, which they said was activated on Tuesday instead of the ninth of the month as they requested.
"You are in Nairobi, you are a parent with a family depending on you, you don't have a salary, the children are returning to school, and you have a landlord waiting. How do you expect us to survive?" she asked.
Dr Chao also accused Governor Johnson Sakaja's administration of failing to involve doctors in addressing challenges facing the healthcare system.
Delayed promotions are also among the grievances, with doctors saying inflation and the rising cost of living have not spared them.
"We are staying home because we want to reduce the risk of exposing our families and friends. We will continue staying home until our demands are met," she said.
According to Dr Chao, county officials walked out of a meeting meant to resolve the dispute, raising questions about the administration's priorities.
"We kindly request you to seek medical care elsewhere. Use other facilities because it is going to get worse. The county does not have goodwill at all," she said.
Empty wards
KMPDU Nairobi branch Chairperson Dr Moses Deogracious Maero said the situation in county facilities was dire, with patients being turned away and asked to return another day.
He said the wards at Mbagathi Hospital were empty, with only one doctor on a locum arrangement and a few medical officers trying to manage the situation.
"At least Sonko gave us promotions. Dr Evans Kidero gave us medical cover. But with Governor Sakaja—no medical cover, salary delays, and it is getting worse. The leadership at the county level does not care for Nairobians. That leadership needs to be replaced," Dr Maero said, adding that doctors remain open to talks with the county.
In a spot check, Nation established that beds were empty at Mbagathi Hospital and Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital. The situation was no different at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, where patients were not being attended to.
However, the picture was different at Dagoretti Sub-County Hospital in Mutuini, where services continued at a slow pace.
Patients seek medical services at Dagoretti Sub-County Hospital Mutuini, Nairobi, on January 14, 2025, amid an ongoing doctors’ strike by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) over unresolved grievances with the County and national governments.
According to Chief Executive Officer Dr Martin Wafula, the facility opted to hire doctors and other medical practitioners on locum terms to attend to outpatients and expectant mothers.
Due to the strike, Dr Wafula said patient numbers have increased, putting pressure on the limited medical equipment available.
"The hospital is 100 per cent functional. We have engaged more locum doctors. Our theatres are 100 per cent operational, and we have brought in a locum clinical officer anaesthetist. We are now setting up a telemedicine platform so that patients in peripheral areas can be attended to," Dr Wafula said.
Mutuini Hospital CEO Dr Martin Wekesa Wafula during an interview at his office on January 14, 2025.
He warned that the strike has strained the city's health system, and that some people with chronic conditions could be suffering at home, or losing their lives.
"The patients coming in are those with acute conditions, but those with chronic conditions are not coming to hospital. We don't know how many hypertension-related complications will emerge," he said.
Dr Wafula appealed to the striking doctors to return to the negotiating table to save lives.
One patient seeking services at Mutuini said care was being delivered slowly and called on the government to intervene.
"The facility is okay, but the problem is that they need more doctors. I wanted to do a test, but I have not received my results because there are only two doctors," said the patient.
Nairobi County Health Executive Suzanne Silantoi said the county was working to resolve the standoff and restore services.
