The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has strongly condemned a violent security breach at Naivasha County Referral Hospital, calling for immediate deployment of security personnel to protect health workers and ensure uninterrupted emergency medical services.
In a statement released on 19th May, KMPDU reported that a rowdy crowd stormed the facility, disrupting hospital operations and forcibly taking away the body of a deceased patient from hospital custody.
The Union described the incident as a serious escalation of violence against healthcare institutions, warning that such acts undermine the safety of both patients and medical professionals.
Risk to Healthcare Workers and Hospital Safety
According to the SG Davji Atellah, the attack endangered doctors, nurses, and other frontline healthcare workers who were on duty at the time.
Atellah noted that hospitals must remain neutral and protected spaces, even during moments of civil unrest, emphasizing that the disruption of medical services places lives at risk and weakens the country’s emergency response system.
KMPDU further expressed concern over growing incidents of ambulance obstruction, stating that interference with emergency vehicles constitutes a direct threat to human life.
The Union called on members of the public to grant unconditional passage to ambulances and medical teams, stressing that delays in emergency response can be fatal for patients in critical condition.
“The public must exercise maximum restraint and ensure healthcare facilities remain safe zones,” said the SG, underscoring the need for cooperation between citizens and health providers during emergencies.
KMPDU questioned how medical personnel are expected to save lives when their own safety is constantly compromised within their workplaces.
Government Action Requested
The Union has urged both the National Government and County Governments to take swift action by deploying adequate security personnel to Naivasha County Referral Hospital and other health facilities across the country.
It further called for strengthened protection mechanisms to safeguard medical workers and ensure continuity of care.
KMPDU reaffirms its commitment to defending the rights and safety of healthcare professionals, insisting that a secure working environment is essential for an effective and functional health system.
