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| Joseph Mutuku Muema, 46 at his home in Kyulugwa. He is battling chronic wounds as medics strike in Kitui enters third week. PHOTO| MT. |
BY
BONIFACE MWANIKI
Hundreds
of patients in Kitui County have been left hapless and helpless as medics
strike in the county enters third week.
A middle
aged man from Kyulungwa area in Waita ward, Mwingi Central Sub-County who
suffers from chronic wounds is one of the many residents who have been exposed
to suffering following the strike by the nurses, clinical officers and doctors
in the health facilities across the county.
Joseph
Mutuku Muema, 46, visited Mwingi Level IV hospital to seek treatment but was
turned away on arrival at the facility. He has now been left to plead for
medical help from whoever cares after he went back home with his disturbing
wounds unattended. At
the facility Muema who is battling unending pain from the wounds was advised to
travel to Embu Level 5 Hospital.
Health
workers in hospitals, health centres and dispensaries across the vast county
downed their tools a fortnight ago after their employer – the county executive –
delayed the July salary. Even as other county government workers who are
members of the Kenya County Government Workers Union and Union of Kenya Civil
Servants last week on Friday entered into an agreement with governor Charity
Ngilu on a return-to-work formula, the medics vowed to stay put in the strike
until the county government pays them.
With
the adamant stance of the unpaid health staff, it is now apparent that patients
are already in agony now that they are not being attended when they visit the
health facilities. This is clearly demonstrated by the ailing Muema who
revealed to Mwingi Times that he has been experiencing
severe pains which has been accelerated by the unending and spreading wounds.
The
swollen sores, Mr Muema explained that they began at the lower abdomen part of
the body before spreading to his both legs making his mobility a tall order.
According to the father of four, he has been
unable to access proper medical attention due to poverty which was ushered into
his family after he became ill since has been unable to do his mechanic job for
a year now. “I am a mechanic but I
cannot do anything to even help my children. My legs cannot walk because of
these painful wounds which I have also been unable to treat,” he narrated.
The
man, whose wife fled ten years ago, has been struggling to raise his four
children with the help of his immediate neighbors and well-wishers.
“I
live here with one of my sons who help me in daily activities but the other
children live with their grandparents because they have nowhere to stay here. My house collapsed following a heavy downpour
and am now forced to stay at my son’s tiny room,” the dejected Mr Muema said.
Mr Peter Kimbu, a local pastor who has been supporting the man both financially
and spiritually called on good Samaritans to come to the aid of Mr Muema to
help salvage the already worsening situation.
“We have Governor’s representatives at village
and ward levels. They should hurriedly step in and help him access medical
attention,” pleaded Mr Kimbu who is also a neighbor to Mr Muema.
He
said it was unfortunate that the medics were on strike following a salary delay
– which he said governor Ngilu should have addressed as part of addressing one
of the key pillars of her manifesto of better healthcare.
“A lot of people have been turned away at
Mwingi Level IV hospital and due to their financial constraints; they have no
other option but to return home. They cannot afford better healthcare elsewhere,”
the clergy said.
MWINGI TIMES for timely and authoritative news.
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