Members of Non-Comminicable Diseases Alliance Kenya from left Mr. Thomas Lindi, Thomas Gikonyo of Renal patient Society of Kenya and Edward Konzolo addressing the media today in Nairobi. Photo: Benard Mulwa
By Benard Mulwa.
As the countywide doctors strike enters its 41days today, the government and doctors has been asked to move with speed and negotiate with patients in mind and bring the untold suffering to an end.
Renal Patients Society of Kenya Chairman John Gikonyo together with Non-Comminicable Diseases Alliance Kenya Members Mr. Thomas Lindi and Mr. Edward Konzolo has warned that 41 days by the striking medics took off is agonising long period for non communicale patients who needs constant periodic and management in hospitals.
The Caucus of patients led organisation on Non-Communicable Diseases has issued a statement critically appealing to the government and KMPDU to come to the negotiation table and resolve the onging stallment . “Currently, Non-Communicable Diseases amounts to over 50 percent of all hospitals admissions across the country with 33 percent of total deaths accounts for Non-Communicable Diseases across the country ” the Statement reads in part adding that it has dangerous disrupted health care services in government hospitals.
Mr. Edward Konzolo told journalists that the on-going strike has servery compromised with devastating effects and is critically worsening the prognosis of NCDs patients suffering from chronic diabetes, Kidney dialysis, hypertension and excetra.
he President of Renal Patients Society of Kenya was dismayed and warned of an immerging trend of dialysis units closing down due to luck of reimbursement by NHIF for dialysis services terming this a matter of life and death. John Gikonyo also told journalists that this month alone the Renal Patients Society have witnessed 4 units closing down as a results to non-reimbursement of dialysis unit by NHIF rendered to their members, adding that the closedown passed a great danger to close to 7000 kidney Patients who rely on NHIF cover to access the dialysis which will create un due pressure to the remaining units.
The President, Renal Patients Society of Kenya called on the NHIF to release all the pending reimbursement funds without further delays even as Social Health Authority is proposing to increase dialysis sessions per Patient to 3.