Patients transferred as nurses down tools at hospital in Busia after viral harassment video

Normal operations at the Port Victoria sub-county hospital in Busia County were on Friday paralyzed as nurses went on strike protesting an attack on a healthcare worker by two patients on Tuesday this week.

Families were forced to transfer their patients to other hospitals as the nurses downed their tools to protest the January 2, 2024 incident where two people demanded swift delivery of healthcare services for their relative.

Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary General Seth Panyako said: “There is no work going on here until we’re assured of the security of healthcare workers. And if that does not happen in the shortest time possible, we will withdraw all healthcare workers in Busia County government within 48 hours.”

The union revealed that the healthcare worker captured on camera being harassed has since recorded her statement with police.

The nurses’ body now wants stern action taken against the two people who are seen on recorded video harassing the worker.

Among the suspects is theatre technology student Vanessa Ogema, and an unidentified male.

Busia County government, in a statement to newsrooms, pointed out that hospital property was destroyed in the process, including an oxygen concentrator.

Three days after the video went viral on social media, Vanessa Ogema and her counterpart have not yet been arrested; police are presently trailing the suspects who are believed to have fled to Nairobi.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha on Thursday condemned the incident, noting that the perpetrators of such acts will face the full force of the law.

“Acts of violence against our healthcare workers are not only reprehensible but intolerable. Healthcare workers deserve our utmost respect as they are the backbone of our healthcare system. They work tirelessly – sometimes under challenging conditions to ensure the well-being of all citizens across different hospital levels,” she stated.

The Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has condemned the actions by Ms. Ogema, who is on attachment at the facility.

“The Board and Management joins our Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health in condemning the actions displayed by Ms. Vanessa Ogema observing that the behaviour violated the institutions core values and an organizational culture that the hospital Board, Management and staff are keen to uphold all the time,” stated KUTRRH Bpard of Directors Chairperson Prof. Olive Mugenda.

“We take great exception to her behaviour and we will decide on the way forward once full details on the incident are obtained.”