TOO STEEP A PRICE FOR PATRIOTISM, MEDICAL UNION OUTRAGED OVER DOCTOR WHO DIED OF COVID-19 WITHOUT RECEIVING FIVE MONTHS PAY
Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has expressed outrage over the death of a 28-year-old Medical Doctor who died of Covid-19 without having received five months pay, describing it as “too steep a price for patriotism.”
The deceased doctor, Stephen Mogusu, did not have health insurance so his family started an online fundraiser to raise medical bills while he was being treated in the intensive care unit. Unfortunately, Doctor Mogusu did not make it.
Announcing his demise, KMPDU in a statement released on Monday said: “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.”
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
Absolving his administration of the blame, the Governor for Machakos County where Dr Mogusu worked pointed out that the deceased doctor was employed under the national government's universal health programme.
Governor Alfred Mutua claimed that he offered free treatment for the deceased while also communicating and praying for his family.
“Sad to learn of the passing of Dr Stephen Mogusu, attached to Machakos by National Govt’s UHC program & PAY. Improper that his employer, the National Govt, had not paid him for months. Drs employed by my Govt have NO salary arrears, receive allowances & ALL have insurance cover
As a fraternity, it is sad when we lose one of our own. For days we have been praying for him, communicating with his family and even offered free treatment for him. We honestly thought he would pull through. My condolence to his family, friends & colleagues. Sad. RIP,” Governor Alfred Mutua said.
Sad to learn of the passing of Dr. Stephen Mogusu, attached to Machakos by National Govt’s UHC program & PAY. Improper that his employer, the National Govt, had not paid him for months. Drs employed by my Govt have NO salary arrears, receive allowances & ALL have insurance cover pic.twitter.com/zQLYPLelcz
Dr Mogusu’s death cuts deep among doctors in Kenya who have been complaining about poor payment, lack of PPE and lack of a comprehensive medical cover.
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