KMPDU Secretary-General Chibanzi Mwachonda tests positive for Covid-19

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) acting Secretary-General Dr Chibanzi Mwachonda has tested positive for Coronavirus.

Through a statement to newsrooms, Dr Mwachonda said he contracted the virus while dispensing his official duties but he is stable at the moment and in self-isolation.

“My family is safe, contact tracing and testing of all close contacts is ongoing. The disease is in the widespread community transmission phase, all of us are at risk but that should not be a cause for fear or stigma to affected individuals.

“I urge all Kenyans to adhere to the Ministry of Health prevention measures of putting on your masks, washing your hands, avoiding unnecessary movement and gatherings in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and enable us to flatten the curve as a country,” he said.

Further, he urged all medics to soldier on and continue serving the nation cognizant of the great risk of infection to everyone.

Dr Mwachonda also asked the government to support health workers by providing adequate and quality PPEs and unveil the welfare package on work injury benefits.

Earlier this week, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe revealed that there had been two cases of doctors who traveled and later tested positive but had refused to quarantine themselves.

CS Kagwe said one of the doctors wanted to perform surgery on a patient but was reported by a nurse.

He urged doctors to practice self-responsibility saying their discipline is key to containing the virus especially in health facilities.

The CS also revealed that 634 health workers had tested positive so far but said the number is quite low compared to other parts of the world.

Kagwe maintained that there are enough PPEs in the country and any shortage reported might be attributed to poor management and distribution.