COVID-19: Doctors told to avoid duties in unsafe environments after 5 dead in one week

Kenya’s medical profession is in mourning after losing five senior specialists within a span of one week to COVID-19.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) on Friday announced the deaths of Dr. Emarah Ashraf, Dr. Vladimir Schukin, Dr. Hudson Inyangala, and Dr. Robert Ayisi.

The union, in a follow-up statement on Saturday, announced the passing on of Dr. Hudson Alumera, a periodontal surgeon.

“KMPDU urges all doctors to abstain from duties where the work environment is unsafe. National and County Governments must bear the cost of treatment for COVID-19 for all frontine health care workers and the public,” said the union on Friday.

On Saturday, it added: “To the Government of Kenya, the welfare occupational safety and health of frontline health care workers is non-negotiable moving forward.”