Kenya’s Catholic Bishops say they are concerned about the on-going strike action by doctors.
The Bishops have said it is unfair for Kenyan doctors to abandon innocent patients and have called on the Government to resolve the stand-off quickly.
Kenya’s medical professionals have downed tools citing government’s failure to honour the implementation of a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
(Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va)
Below is the full statement:
Listen To The Voice Of The Suffering Poor
“ ...... He took pity on them and healed their sick” (Mt. 14:14)
Introduction
We the Catholic Bishops of Kenya express our deep concern over the ongoing Doctors
and Nurses strike that has caused the Kenyan citizens pain, misery and suffering of
unimaginable proportions.
Helpless sick and frail people, children and the elderly including premature babies
and accident victims have been abandoned to suffer and die in horrifying conditions
while medical professionals and Government officials engage in grandstanding with
no clear direction or hope.
While the Church empathizes with the medical professionals on their disappointments
with the Government over the unhonoured Collective Bargaining Agreement, it is unfair
for them to abandon innocent patients to such suffering.
We invite the medical professionals who swore to protect life to reconsider their
position and not engage in actions that threaten life. It is very painful that we
still have not seen any coherent plan by government to stop the strike. We should
not wait for more deaths in order to find a solution. We therefore make the following
appeal.
Appeal to Government
It is incumbet on the Government to ensure a health of its citizenry is prioritized.
We therefore, appeal to the government both of the National and County to create a
harmonious environment for dialogue in order to bring an end to this stalemate.
It cannot be business as usual while people die of abandonment in a country that boasts
to have a working government. No project or undertaking is more important than human
life at any time.
Appeal to Medical Professionals
We appeal to the medical professionals to respond to essential emergencies in order
to save life. Doctors and nurses work under an oath and ethical commitment to protect
human life at all times. We call for possible action to ensure normal medical services
are restored without further delay.
To respond to dire situation across the country, we also appeal to private medical
institutions to go out of their way and respond to essential medical emergencies and
help save lives.
Conclusion
It is our prayer and hope that quick action will be taken by all involved to ensure
normal services are restored for the good of the Kenyan citizens who are in dire need
of medical services.
Signed by:
(All Kenyan Bishops)
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