The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has demanded all hospitals provide housing for their medical staff members within the premises.
In a letter obtained by Kenyans.co.ke and signed by KMPDU CEO Davji Bhimji, the union called for security for all medical practitioners.
"This unfortunate incident underscores the pressing need for heightened security measures within medical facilities. We demand that county governments and hospital management prioritize the safety of healthcare workers, particularly medical interns. It is imperative that hospitals adhere to KMPDC and PPB rules, including providing secure housing within hospital premises for medical interns," read the letter in part.
"The union will not tolerate any compromise in the security of our doctors and medical interns. We call on authorities to take swift action to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future. The safety of healthcare workers is paramount in delivering quality patient care and maintaining the integrity of our healthcare system."
The letter was authored in response to the tragic death of Dr. Laban Langat, a medical officer intern at Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital (PGH).
Langat's lifeless body was discovered in the trenches outside the Margaret Kenyatta Mother and Baby Wing on the morning of January 13, 2024.
In its letter, KMPDU asked for an immediate and thorough investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to establish the cause of his death.
"His untimely demise is a profound loss to the medical fraternity, and our thoughts and prayers are with those affected," added KMPDU.
"The loss of a young doctor like Dr. Langat is a devastating blow to our healthcare system. He represented the future of our profession, and his tragic demise reverberates through the entire medical fraternity."
Earlier, a caucus of health workers across the country petitioned the State after cases of attacks on them while on duty surged.
In one of the cases, the relative of a patient at Naivasha Hospital brandished a gun at the staff accusing them of not going about their duties correctly.
The union caucus argued that such incidents had become rampant in counties.
The caucus, as a result, demanded immediate arrest of perpetrators and called on the State to enhance security surveillance and intervention protocols in all health facilities across the country.
Health workers also want armed security personnel in all health facilities, especially during night shifts.
