The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary-General Chibanzi Mwachonda, on Monday, April 13, maintained that a number of health workers were currently under quarantine following exposure to Covid-19.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Mwachonda cited the various cases around the country in which Covid-19 positive patients had come into contact with health workers thereby warranting a 14-day quarantine as per World Health Organization (WHO) protocols and guidelines.
"We have, for example, the case of the child at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), whose status was not known, and he interacted with several health workers who are now in quarantine,
We are not happy to announce our colleagues are no longer fit to serve, we can't just be announcing that they are currently under observation when they aren't, what purpose does it serve?" he posed.
His latest statement comes just hours after Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe refuted claims that some health workers had tested positive for the virus.
However, the KMPDU boss warned of a looming crisis in the battle against the virus, as more and more health workers remain exposed to potentially infected individuals.
"You see, at the moment, anyone who walks into a health facility is a potential carrier and we need to do more to protect our workers," he reiterated.
He further cited the recent coronavirus case in Siaya where the deceased was identified as a Covid-19 victim posthumously, saying a number of healthcare professionals were also quarantined after that particular incident.
During his presser on April 13, CS Kagwe revealed that 45 people had been placed in quarantine following the Siaya incident, adding that they were still looking to track down a few more who may have been exposed.
"There will be challenges going forward and cultural practices on how bodies are disposed of may not be practical in such extreme situations,
"Be mentally prepared and accept that Covid-19 bodies shall be disposed of in a manner that protects the living from infections and accordance with burial protocols put in place," he stated.
On his part, Mwachonda maintained that despite the overwhelming demand for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), health workers who are at the very frontline in the war against the global pandemic ought to be given first priority.
"I have been in contact with some health workers who have even had to go out and purchase the gear on their own," he revealed.
On April 9, the KMPDU stated that Kenya requires at least 8,280,000 surgical masks, 4,140,000 N-95 masks, and 46,000 health personnel in the next 3 months to effectively fight the coronavirus pandemic.
This was captured in a memorandum presented to the Senate Adhoc Committee on the frontline healthcare workers during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Watch Mwachonda's statement below:
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