Medical Professionals Protest in Eldoret Over Health Sector Issues
Medical officers and health professionals staged a significant protest on Friday, expressing their frustrations with the government’s handling of the health sector, particularly the management of Moi University and the introduction of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
The demonstration, organized by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) North Rift, attracted a large crowd of healthcare workers who gathered to voice their grievances. KMPDU North Rift Secretary General Kamonzi Mulei led the rally, articulating serious concerns about the impact of the university’s administration on healthcare services in the region.
Mulei stated that many of the union’s members, including highly qualified super specialists, are unable to provide critical surgical services due to what he described as a “paralysis” of operations at Moi University. “There are surgeries that cannot take place because our members are at home,” he lamented. This situation, he explained, not only affects healthcare delivery but also the education of medical students. “Students, particularly registrars in their master’s programs, are left idle, and despite parents paying tuition, undergraduate students are not receiving the education they deserve,” he added.
The protestors called for immediate action from President William Ruto, urging him to address the systemic issues plaguing the university. Mulei demanded the resignation of the current Vice Chancellor, insisting that the leadership must change for the institution to recover and serve its community effectively. “If there are funds to be allocated, they should not be given while this administration is in place. We need competent leaders who can restore integrity and functionality,” he asserted.
Dr. Darwin Ambuka, Chairman of KMPDU North Rift, also spoke passionately during the protest, criticizing the government’s newly introduced SHIF. He described it as an ineffective and burdensome scheme that imposes excessive taxation on Kenyans. “This is not a solution for our 50 million citizens but rather a way to extract more money from hardworking Kenyans,” he stated. Dr. Ambuka elaborated on the advantages of the previous National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which he argued had effectively supported healthcare access, enabling many to receive treatments both locally and abroad.
“The introduction of SHIF is a move towards corruption and mismanagement,” Dr. Ambuka claimed. He expressed concern that the new system would foster nepotism and limit access to quality healthcare for ordinary citizens, which could further exacerbate existing inequalities in the health sector.
The protest highlighted the growing discontent among healthcare professionals, who feel that their concerns have been ignored by both the university administration and the government. As the rally concluded, Mulei emphasized that the union would not back down until their demands for reform and accountability were met. “We will continue to strike and mobilize until there are tangible changes in our healthcare system,” he declared.
The demonstration in Eldoret serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Kenya’s healthcare sector, where both professionals and patients are feeling the repercussions of administrative failures. As the situation evolves, the actions of the government and university management will be crucial in determining the future of healthcare in the region.
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