The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) has voiced its concerns over the ongoing doctors' strike and condemned Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome for his recent comments.
According to PSK, the striking doctors have raised genuine concerns, and failure to address them will have far-reaching consequences.
"The Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) issues this urgent statement to address the dire state of Kenya's healthcare system, magnified by recent events concerning Modema's departure and the ongoing doctor's strike.
"We stand resolute with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) in their justified demands. The failure to address these reasonable concerns not only undermines the morale of medical professionals but also directly impacts patient care across the nation," PSK said in a statement.
Koome's recent remarks on the doctors' strike have also been condemned, with PSK saying the police boss cannot stop Kenyans from expressing their concerns as stipulated in the constitution.
"PSK vehemently condemns the recent statement by the Inspector General of Police, which blatantly undermines the constitutionally protected right to peaceful assembly and demonstration under Article 37 of Kenya's 2010 Constitution.
"Such disregard for fundamental human rights not only jeopardizes the safety of healthcare workers but also threatens the well-being of all Kenyan citizens," it added.
The society also raised concern about the exit of a major pharmaceutical company, saying the departure sheds a negative light on the country due to poor oversight and regulation.
"The departure of Moderna from Kenya serves as a distressing reminder of the precarious state of our healthcare infrastructure. Let it be clear: Moderna's withdrawal is not just a setback; it highlights the significant shortcomings in our regulatory oversight.
"Our inability to achieve ML3 status not only limits our competitiveness in global vaccine markets but also underscores the significant obstacles hindering our capability to develop crucial medications for diseases spanning from cancer to diabetes," PSK continued.
Government's inaction
The government also found itself criticized by society, which pointed out that failure to pass key bills is a case of betrayal.
"The government's inaction, particularly its failure to expedite the passage of critical healthcare legislation such as the Kenya Drug Authority (KDA) and Pharmacy Practice Bills, is a betrayal of the highest order. This bureaucratic inertia not only hampers our ability to secure essential medications and vaccines but also undermines the President's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
"We demand immediate action from the government: the swift passage of the KDA and Pharmacy Practice Bills, catapulting Kenya to ML3 status alongside our African counterparts in Tanzania, Egypt, and Rwanda. Failure to act decisively not only condemns our nation to perpetual suffering but also signifies a profound dereliction of duty by those entrusted with safeguarding the health and well-being of all Kenyans," the statement concluded.
The doctors' strike has been ongoing even though the government and key stakeholders have been holding talks aimed at ending the impasse.
