By Dorothy Musyoka
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the County Governments is set to introduce robust workplace mental wellness programs targeting healthcare workers countrywide.
This comes days after the death of Dr.Desree Moraa a medical intern at the Gatundu Level 5 Hospital in Kiambu County died by suicide on Sunday.
Health Cabinet Secretary Dr.Deborah Barasa stated that her passing is a “stark reminder of the silent struggles that many including those in the healthcare profession, often endure.”
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I extend our deepest condoloncess to Dr.Moraa’s family, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.This tragedy calls upon us to renew our commitment to addressing the growing mental health burden in our country,” Dr.Barasa said.
“In honor of her memory, the Ministry of Health in conjuction with County Governments is implementing robust workplace mental wellness programs, targeting healthcare workers across the country to ensure that support systems are strengthened and that those facing challenges don’t feel alone,” she added.
In a public statement issued on 24th September 2024, the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) highlighted the difficult and dangerous working conditions that Dr. Moraa faced as an intern at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital, conditions that ultimately failed to ensure her safety and well-being.
The Union condemned the ongoing exploitation of young doctors in Kenya’s healthcare system, citing Dr. Moraa’s death as a glaring example of the deep-rooted structural failures plaguing the sector.
“Dr.Moraa’s death is a sad but glaring manifestation of our country’s broken healthcare system that feeds on the unpaid and underpaid labour of young doctors and continues to undermine their safety and basic human rights. A workplace should not make workers feel so isolated and desperate that they believe there is no way,” stated KMPDU.
Following the recent tragic case of Dr. Moraa, KMPDU is calling for the urgent need for better working conditions in Kenya’s healthcare system.