Police launch probe into death of medical intern by suicide in Gatundu
Police in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, are
investigating an incident where a medical intern is reported to have died by
suicide on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
The body of Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi, a
medical intern at the Gatundu Level 5 Hospital, was discovered dangling from
the balcony of a house she shared with a friend just metres away from the
health facility.
The circumstances surrounding the incident
are not clear but a suicide note seen by Citizen TV indicates that the deceased
was disturbed and seemingly had difficulties in her working environment.
She had only worked at the hospital as a
medical intern for four weeks after transferring from Nakuru Level 5 Hospital.
She was never to be seen again after leaving the Gatundu facility on Sunday
following a grueling 36-hour shift.
"A suicide incident was reported at the
station; we established that a lady of about 27 years had committed
suicide," said Gatundu South OCPD Stella Cherono.
Following her demise, the Kenya Medical
Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has demanded for a better
working environment for medical interns.
Officials of the union in Kiambu County
decried frustrations, long working hours and unfriendly working conditions for
the medical interns.
"We have complained about the small
number of doctors. This is not the first time we have lost lives of
interns," said Maina Githinji, Chairman, KMPDU Central Kenya.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, KMPDU
Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah demanded for a healthcare system that prioritises workers' mental well-being and ensures fair compensation to prevent
exploitation.
“A workplace should not make workers
feel so isolated and desperate that they believe there is no way out. the
system as designed failed Dr. Moraa and many others who we have mourned before.
It is a dangerous system that will continue to wreak havoc on the lives of
healthcare workers," the statement read.
“The healthcare system has recently
experienced significant disruptions after doctors went on strike demanding for
better working conditions. These include; providing a comprehensive medical
cover for medics, clearing unpaid salaries and improving interns' pay.”
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