The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) is in mourning after the death of Francis Njuki, a medical intern at Thika Level 5 Hospital in Kiambu County.
Njuki, who had been working at the hospital for almost four months, tragically passed away on November 26, 2024.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah has blamed the Kenya Kwanza government for Njuki's death, saying it was caused by work-related frustrations due to unpaid salaries.
Njuki had been serving as an intern doctor since August 2024, but despite the long hours and hard work, he had not received any pay.
This financial strain added to the already difficult conditions interns face in hospitals.
KMPDU condemned the government's failure to address the issue of unpaid intern salaries, which has been a longstanding problem.
Atellah questioned how the government could focus on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) when it does not care for the health workers who are supposed to deliver it.
In a statement, Atellah expressed his frustration and sadness, urging the government to honor the agreement made in 2017 to pay interns according to the agreed-upon rates.
"How many more doctors must die for this government to listen to us?" the statement read. KMPDU also criticized the government's inaction, calling it a culture of lies and broken promises.
They have been patient, waiting for over six months for the government to resolve the payment issue, but now they are demanding immediate action.
Njuki's death comes just weeks after the tragic passing of another medical intern, Desree Moraa, who died under similar circumstances.
Moraa, who worked at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital, was found dead in her apartment in October after reportedly struggling with the pressures of unpaid work.
Her death, too, raised alarms about the unsafe working conditions for intern doctors.
Following Njuki's death, KMPDU announced plans to hold a press conference on November 27 to discuss the next steps in addressing the payment issue and to demand justice for the fallen interns.
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