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The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Tuesday intensified its call for improved working conditions for healthcare workers in the wake of the tragic death of Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi. The young doctor, who was serving as an intern at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital, was discovered lifeless on Sunday night, hanging from her balcony with a rope around her neck.
A suicide note found beside Dr. Moraa’s body revealed that she had been grappling with immense stress, stemming both from her challenging work environment and personal struggles. Her death has once again highlighted the deteriorating state of mental health support for healthcare professionals in the country.
On Tuesday, KMPDU Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atellah, issued a strongly worded statement, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms in the healthcare sector. He pointed to systemic issues that have pushed many healthcare workers to the brink, calling for immediate action to safeguard their mental well-being.
“Dr. Moraa’s tragic passing exposes the harsh realities of our broken healthcare system,” Dr. Atellah remarked. “A system that continues to exploit young doctors, subjecting them to unpaid or underpaid labor, while disregarding their safety and fundamental rights. We cannot continue to lose lives in this manner.”
The KMPDU has long warned of the pressures facing medical professionals, particularly young interns like Dr. Moraa. In many instances, they are overworked, underpaid, and left to navigate hostile working environments with little to no mental health support. The union has repeatedly demanded better compensation, comprehensive medical coverage for healthcare workers, and a focus on their mental health and overall well-being.
Dr. Atellah urged authorities to take responsibility for the systemic failures that led to Dr. Moraa’s death. “We must ensure that no healthcare worker feels so isolated, so desperate, that they see no other option but to end their life. Dr. Moraa’s death is a painful reminder of the need for immediate change, and we must hold accountable those who perpetuate these abusive conditions.”
The outcry over Dr. Moraa’s death comes on the heels of recent labor unrest in the healthcare sector. Doctors had staged a nearly two-month strike, pressing for better working conditions, including timely payment of salaries and improved compensation for interns. Though the strike ended after the government committed to settling salary arrears in the upcoming financial year, the underlying issues remain unresolved.
The union has called for comprehensive reforms to address the systemic issues facing healthcare workers, including the establishment of a work environment that prioritizes their mental health. As Dr. Atellah concluded, “We owe it to Dr. Moraa and every healthcare worker in Kenya to ensure they have a safe, supportive workplace, free from exploitation, and conducive to their well-being.”
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