The recent tragic death of Dr. Desree Moraa, a medical intern at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital, has sparked a national outcry and brought to the forefront critical issues surrounding occupational health and safety within Kenya’s healthcare system. As we mourn the loss of a promising young doctor, it is imperative that we examine the conditions that contributed to this tragedy and take immediate steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
Dr. Moraa’s untimely passing is a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by medical professionals, particularly interns, who often work under extreme conditions that jeopardize their physical and mental well-being. Reports indicate that she was the only medical intern in the surgical department, frequently working 36-hour shifts without rest. Coupled with delayed payments and confrontations with senior staff, these conditions created an environment that was not only unsustainable but also dangerous.
The Occupational Health and Safety Perspective
Occupational health and safety is a fundamental right for all employees, including those in the healthcare sector. The tragic circumstances surrounding Dr. Moraa’s death highlight several key areas where the healthcare system is failing to meet basic OHS standards:
- Excessive Work Hours: The fact that Dr. Moraa had to endure up to 36-hour shifts without adequate rest is a clear violation of acceptable working conditions. Prolonged work hours can lead to burnout, fatigue, and impaired judgment, all of which significantly increase the risk of accidents and errors. This not only endangers the healthcare workers but also compromises patient safety.
- Mental Health Support: The mental well-being of healthcare workers is a critical component of OHS. The pressures of long hours, high patient volumes, and the emotional toll of patient care can lead to severe mental health issues if not properly managed. Despite this, there is often inadequate mental health support available to medical professionals, leaving them vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and burnout.
- Timely Compensation: Delayed payments are far more than a financial inconvenience; they pose a serious occupational health and safety (OHS) risk. When healthcare workers are not compensated on time, it introduces a range of stressors that can have profound implications on their mental and physical well-being. Financial instability can cause anxiety and distract employees from their professional responsibilities, increasing the likelihood of errors and accidents. In the healthcare sector, where even minor mistakes can have life-threatening consequences, the impact of financial stress cannot be overstated.
Moreover, delayed payments undermine morale and motivation, contributing to burnout and diminished job satisfaction. This not only affects the mental health of healthcare workers but also compromises the quality of care they provide to patients. For medical interns like Dr. Moraa, who are already working under demanding conditions, the added burden of financial uncertainty can push them to a breaking point. Ensuring timely and fair compensation is not just a matter of administrative efficiency—it is a fundamental component of a safe and supportive working environment that must be prioritized to protect the health and safety of healthcare professionals.
- Safe Working Environment: A safe working environment extends beyond physical safety to include adequate staffing levels and supportive management practices. Interns and junior doctors should not be left to bear the brunt of systemic staffing shortages. Instead, there should be clear protocols in place to ensure that workloads are distributed fairly and that all staff members have access to the resources and support they need.
Compliance and Systemic Reforms
To address these OHS challenges, it is essential that the healthcare sector adheres to both national and international standards for workplace safety and employee welfare. Compliance should not be an option but a requirement, enforced through regular audits and the implementation of clear policies and procedures.
- Enforcement of Staffing Norms: Hospitals must comply with staffing norms to ensure that no intern or junior doctor is left to manage entire departments alone. Adequate staffing levels are crucial to maintaining a safe and supportive working environment.
- Implementation of Support Systems: Hospitals should have dedicated mental health support systems for healthcare workers. This includes access to counselors, peer support groups, and mental health days to ensure that those struggling can seek help without stigma.
- Timely and Fair Compensation: The government and healthcare institutions must work together to ensure that all healthcare workers, including interns, are paid on time and receive fair compensation for their work. Delays and discrepancies in payment should be addressed promptly to prevent financial stress and maintain morale.
- Regulation and Oversight: Regulatory bodies such as the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) must take an active role in monitoring compliance with OHS standards across all healthcare facilities. Regular inspections, transparent reporting, and strict penalties for non-compliance are necessary to enforce these standards.
A Call to Action
Dr. Desree Moraa’s death should serve as a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the healthcare sector. It is time to prioritize the occupational health and safety of our healthcare workers and ensure that no one else has to endure the conditions that led to this tragedy. This is not just a matter of compliance, but a moral imperative to safeguard the well-being of those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
Healthcare institutions must be held accountable for providing a safe, supportive, and fair working environment. Only through systemic reforms and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of occupational health and safety can we hope to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As we reflect on the life and dedication of Dr. Moraa, let us honor her memory by advocating for the changes needed to protect her colleagues and future generations of healthcare workers. The time for action is now—let us not wait until another life is lost.
