Nation Media Group has yet again taken the time to appreciate the effort by healthcare workers in the country for the fight against Covid-19.
In a special video, aired by NTV on the night of Friday, May 1, the media house marked 50 days since the outbreak of the virus was first reported in the country, along with a message of gratitude.
The Nation Centre building was lit up, projecting a video of a person clapping and prior to the prime time news, NTV news anchor Dennis Okari, read out a thank you message to medics in the country.
"It is exactly 50 days since the first case of Coronavirus was reported in the country and tonight, we are once again celebrating our brave and resilient frontline soldiers.
"These healthcare workers, despite the many challenges, are our first line of defence in fighting this global pandemic and we are celebrating you and thanking you for risking your lives to save the rest of us. Hongera sana," Okari read out.
"This is one way of paying our tribute as Nation Media Group to our soldiers battling this unseen enemy, a reminder to the rest of us and I know it sounds like a broken record but stay at home, observe the government's directives, and let us be safe and keep those around us safe. It is well. We shall overcome this," he added.
The media house joined in on the plaudits towards health workers following congratulatory messages from all quarters as the country marked Labour Day on May 1.
President Uhuru Kenyatta in his address to the nation during the Labour Day celebrations held at State House, Nairobi celebrated the medics for their sacrifice throughout the pandemic.
The holiday attended by few leaders, among them; COTU Sec-Gen Francis Atwoli, Water and Labour CS Simon Chelugui and his PS Peter Tum.
The gesture by NTV comes at the backrop of another video they had shared on April 21, 2020, yet again celebrating health workers in the country.
In the video, NTV journalists participated in an international tribute named 'Clap For Our Carers'.
They had taken up the challenge and showed their appreciation to health workers, security officers, and the media, who have all played a vital role in combating the spread of the virus in Kenya.
"To all health care workers, emergency correspondents and everyone else who is fighting the Covid-19 virus, I just want to say that you are in our thoughts and prayers," Okari had stated then.
"I appreciate health workers, the watchmen, guards and all those who support us as we come to work like my wife who packed me lunch," Mark Maasai had remarked.
On April 10, 2020, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) announced that six medics had contracted the Covid-19 virus in the country.
“We have received confirmation on the cases of a clinical officer working for the Ministry of Health in Nairobi, a clinical officer in Ngara Clinic in Nairobi, a clinician stationed at the Kenya Ports Authority in Mombasa, two in Mombasa County’s public health facilities and one in Baringo County,” KUCO Secretary-General George Dibore had announced then, urging that the government adequately provide PPEs for healthcare workers.
While addressing the media during the daily Covid-19 briefs on May 1, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe announced that medical practitioners would be subjected to regular tests so as to stem the spread of the virus through health facilities.
"Health workers must be tested so that they may not infect people when they are treating them," Kagwe stated.
