Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged doctors to soften their stance and engage in negotiations with the government to prevent a planned strike.
Speaking in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, Muthoni emphasized that the government is fully committed to resolving the issues at hand to ensure doctors remain at work throughout the festive season. “The availability of doctors, especially during this time, is crucial. We urge them to engage in discussions so they can continue saving lives,” she said.
In addition, Muthoni cautioned the public, particularly women, to be mindful of the cosmetics they use on their skin. She warned that some products can be harmful and lead to skin diseases. “We are still awaiting a report on rogue beauty parlours conducting illegal skin surgeries, and we will make the findings public once received. A month ago, a Kenyan woman lost her life due to a botched skin surgery, and we have referred the matter to the relevant agencies for further investigation,” Muthoni said.
The PS also advised the public to avoid self-medication and to seek proper prescriptions from qualified medical practitioners. She stressed that misuse of over-the-counter drugs is endangering lives.
Muthoni further called on Kenyans to embrace wellness screenings to detect diseases they may not be aware of. “Conditions like high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar can be detected early with the help of community health promoters, which allows for early intervention and treatment,” she noted.
She also encouraged families to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) as a way of ensuring access to emergency treatment. “The best gift you can give your family is to register them with SHA, as it ensures they are covered in case of an unexpected health emergency. The government is committed to providing treatment to all citizens, regardless of their status, at any hospital level,” Muthoni concluded.
