Machakos Nurses Demonstrate over lack of security at the Hospital

Nov 30, 2023 - 17:49

Machakos health workers on their way to Machakos police station while demonstrating after nurses were attacked by family members of a patient who had died while undergoing treatment. (Photo by Sylvia Nzioki/KNA).

Machakos,

Thursday, November 30, 2023

KNA by Anne Kangero/Sylvia Nzioki

Nurses at Machakos Level 5 Hospital today picketed in the streets to protest over lack of security at the hospital, after one of them was attacked by the family of a patient that passed away while undergoing treatment at the facility.

The Nurses who brought businesses in Machakos town to a standstill, said that the patients’ family blamed them for the death and they fear for their lives thus require security to be beefed up at the hospital.

Machakos County Executive Committee member for Health Daniel Yumbya, who joined the nurses at the police station, assured them of his full support and promised to forward the names of the family members who attacked them to the police for further investigations.

Yumbya said healthcare workers are protected by labor laws and should not be beaten or harassed as he also acknowledged the challenging environment they work in.

“We have forwarded the names of the attackers to the police and anyone else who will be involved in attacking the nurses will face the wrath of the law,” warned Yumbya.

He urged Machakos residents to allow nurses to do their jobs without blaming and threatening them.

Speaking during the demonstration Bernard Mugo who is the Head of Emergency Department said the nurses will not resume their duties until security is beefed up.

“We are not going back to work until there is proper security at the hospital and we urge all the hospitals in Machakos to close down,” said Mr Mugo.

Courtesy; KNA