The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union – KMPDU is mourning the death of a 28-year-old doctor, Stephen Mogusu.
Mogusu, a frontline worker in the battle against the coronavirus – COVID-19, was to have contracted the virus and succumbed to it.
As of the time of his death, Mogusu had not been paid for five months, KMPDU said.
Stephen Mogusu did not have health insurance and his family had started an online fundraiser while he was being treated in the intensive care unit.
In a Twitter post announcing Mogusu’s death and its condolence mesaage, KMPDUsaid, “Devastating to announce the demise of 28 year old Dr. Stephen Mogusu who has succumbed to COVID-19 complications.
“At the time of his death, he had not received his salary for 5 months, had no insurance and his young family left with no compensation. Too steep a price for Patriotism.
“KMPDU mourns with the family and friends. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
The governor for Machakos county, where Dr Mogusu worked, said he was employed under the national government’s universal health programme.
“Improper that his employer, the national government, had not paid him for months. Doctors employed by my government have no salary arrears, receive allowances & all have insurance cover,” Governor Alfred Mutua tweeted.false
A doctor, Mercy Korir, tweeted that Dr Mogusu’s last words to colleagues were, “bail out when you can because the mistreatment by government is not worth your life”.
Doctors in Kenya have complained about poor payment, lack of protective gear and lack of a comprehensive medical cover.
They had issued a strike notice that expired on Monday but was extended for two weeks to allow for more discussions.