The National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) on Tuesday raised concern over the increase of Covid-19 cases amongst healthcare workers across the country.
NNAK president Alfred Obengo in a statement to the media revealed that as at July 28, more than 500 medics had contracted the virus with eight fatalities.
“As this unfortunate scenario is happening, we have sadly lost eight healthcare workers across the country with five from Nairobi and one each from Wajir, Kajiado, and Mombasa Counties,” he said.
“This trend has continued to weaken our working capacity, cognisant to the fact that healthcare workers are working in shifts and others are in isolation.”
Obengo urged both the national and county governments to move with speed and ensure that healthcare workers have adequate quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
In May, a survey by the Kenya Ethical and Legal Issues Network (KLEIN) suggested that 93 percent of healthcare workers do not have enough PPEs.
Eighty-two percent of healthcare workers surveyed said they were forced to reuse PPEs due to lack of supplies.
The Association further demanded for proper training on managing Covid-19 as well as adequate psycho-social support.
Obengo said the ministry should employ more healthcare workers in all the 47 counties as a spike of infections continue.
“Payment of healthcare workers allowances in time. As the National Nurses Association of Kenya, we remain committed to advocating and lobbying for an improved working environment for our members,” he said.
