Another medic, 28, succumbs to Covid-19

Kenya has lost another medic to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Stephen Mogusu, a 28-year-old medical officer, died at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) said in a tweet on Monday evening that the medic succumbed after developing complications.

Devastating to announce the demise of 28 yr 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 & his young family left with no compensation.Too steep a price for Patriotism. pic.twitter.com/hl8WNYxxeH

— KMPDU (@kmpdu) December 7, 2020

The union lamented that the youthful doctor ‘paid a steep price of patriotism’ adding that he had gone months without pay, and had no substantive medical cover.

“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,” the tweet read.

KMPDU Acting Secretary-General Dr Chibanzi Mwachonda had shared a fundraising portal in support of the medic before his death.

“The family of Dr Stephen Mogusu a frontline soldier who is battling for his life in ICU due to #Covid-19 complications is appealing to Kenyans of good will to contribute for his urgent medical expenses. The sad reality of our doctors,” he tweeted.

Standard Digital established that Sh40,270 had been collected for him by 38 contributors.

Yesterday, the union suspended their strike for additional 14 days after the Senate and the National Assembly intervened over the matter. The union, however, insisted that the government must address the issues it highlighted in the strike notice failure to which they will embark on the strike.

“The National Advisory Council has resolved to Suspend the Strike for 14 days to allow for dialogue. KMPDU thanks National Assembly and Senate for their efforts. The government must address the 11 issues in the strike Notice failure to which the strike will commence on 21st December,” it said.

The doctors want proper and adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for the frontline medics, medical cover, hiring of extra doctors and exemption of vulnerable medics from attending to Covid-19 duties.