The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) has raised concerns over the high number of victims flocking hospitals with injuries sustained during protests.
In a statement, KMPDU urgently called on the government to allow peaceful demonstrations and restrain police officers from brutalising protestors. They expressed concern that the growing number of severely injured protestors could overwhelm the country's medical systems.
The union raised significant issues, including disruptions to health services, supply chain problems for medical resources, and the psychological impact on medical practitioners. They also highlighted the neglect of vulnerable populations amid the protests.
KMPDU also expressed worries about the safety of doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners attending to victims of the anti-government protests.
"It is crucial for the government, humanitarian organisations, and global partners to work together to mitigate these challenges and ensure that the healthcare system remains functional, even in the face of civil unrest, to protect the health and well-being of all Kenyans," read part of the statement.
"Attacks on healthcare workers can result in them being unable to perform their duties, leading to understaffing and decreased efficiency within healthcare facilities," the union stated.
According to KMPDU, dealing with the increased severe cases can lead to an increase in acute stress reactions, anxiety, and depression not only to the medical fraternity but the public as well.
KMPDU Secretary General, Davji Atella, expressed concern over the situation where certain victims are admitted to hospitals that have limited medical staff and inadequate medical supplies regretting that some of the patients end up succumbing to the injuries.
"The demonstrations have caused injuries that end up in the hospitals that are already overwhelmed. We want to condemn the actions of the police causing a lot of these cases," Atella lamented.
According to several human rights groups, at least 30 deaths have been reported so far from the anti-government protests.
Various Human Rights Groups have condemned police brutality urging the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the cases.
"We have noticed that the response to the demonstrations has been partly marked by plain-clothed armed officers, using pistols and unmarked police cars. From experience, such units are contrary to the recognized chain of command, provide the opportunity criminality and limit accountability," the International Justice Mission (IJM) said in a statement on Friday.
