is this strike really the way to solve the problems facing our healthcare sector? and what happened to the Hippocratic oath!
"I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help" read the full version here
state of health care:
it is in no doubt the inherent failures of our political and government structure when it comes to the most crucial Healthcare Sector. the hospitals are in want, the medicines are a hit and miss affair- the result suffering of a majority of Kenyans who cannot afford private health care.
we need reforms, we need better governance, but more than that we need patriotism from our people, leaders and especially our professionals like the doctors.
doctors take an oath to mankind and have a sacred duty to our people and not the government. they point out poor pay and facilities as reasons for the strike, weeks later, the only people suffering are Kenyans, not the extravagantly paid leadership who seat in the expensively furnished House, no it is the poor mother at Pumwani, it is the sick toddler at hundreds of clinics around the country who are being punished by our Doctors for failures of the GoK.
don't get me wrong I do see the merits of what these most cherished civil servants offer, to me however, the strike is akin to soldiers deserting their posts in a time of war!
my question is have we really exhausted all other avenues for the doctors to seek redress?
people power
we all tout the gains our constitution has made in advancing civil liberties, it is a shame that we only use the parts that are most convenient to our needs. the doctors under looked the power of the people when it comes to this most timely fight, together, doctors and we, the citizens who see and understand their plight have the power to force the government in to action.
petitions
a million signatures is an easy figure for our health care professionals to hit, this would force the government to the will of the citizens. the right petition, asking for the health care budget to be given a percentage of the national revenue, just like the judiciary. the fund would be directed by elected officials of the KMPDU, KNHRC and several other actors and stake holders from the citizenry.
this would be a more sustainable and lasting solutions to the ails that face our crippled Healthcare system, better than the current trend of striking whenever the tide turns. this would be better for doctors and Kenyans alike.
let us end this culture of downing tools for the sake of short term solutions and focus on real solutions to Kenya's problems. if not, how long then to the next strike? how long to the next batch of Kenyans who will die because we kicked the can down the road. these agreements are like an aspirin for HIV (pardon the expression).
its time to seek lasting solutions, to all our problems.
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