By MN Reporter

Migori county doctors on October 23 called a strike which has paralysed operations in all public hospitals.

Patients have been forced to seek services in private hospitals which are more expensive or traditional healers.

Striking Doctors in Nyanza region want the National Hospitals Insurance Fund cover also to include Covid-19.

Speaking on Friday in a Migori Hotel, doctors expressed fear that excluding NHIF to cover Covid-19 patients puts doctors and other front line health providers at the time of pandemic greater risk than before.

“Four doctors in Migori County have been diagnosed with coronavirus, they are struggling to pay their medical bills since NHIF comprehensive cover excludes the treatment of the pandemic,” .Kevin Osuri who is the Doctors chairperson in the region said.

He called on Migori and other counties to push for the Doctors’ NHIF comprehensive cover.

“We will not resume work until NHIF agrees on our demands, a number of doctors have died after being exposed to the virus without national medical cover attention,” he said..

Cabinet Secretary for Health Mutahi Kagwe last week told parliamentary health committee that NHIF is unable to cover Covid-19 due to heavy treatment costs.