Overworked Gatundu Intern Doctor Moraa Takes Her Life
Key takeaways
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- The Kenyan public is reeling in pain and sadness following the tragic news of the death of Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi, who was an intern doctor at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital.
- Sad reports indicate that the young doctor succumbed to enormous stress working long hours without pay.
- Colleagues have reported that Dr. Moraa was the sole intern in her department, often working back-to-back 12-hour shifts that sometimes extended to 36 hours.
- With no means to sustain herself, Dr. Moraa agonizingly took her own life at her residence in Gatundu.
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Kenyans react to Dr. Moraa’s tragic situation at the hands of a broken system
Dr. Moraa’s death by suicide has sparked strong reactions, especially from her fellow doctors, who have spoken out about the alarming conditions they face at work.
A vocal doctor Dimbil Hussein has come out to expose the government’s agonizing failure at handling intern doctors.
In a series of posts on social media, Dr. Dimbil has given additional context to the events surrounding the medical intern’s death.
According to the outspoken medic, Kenya’s brilliant minds are being mistreated and mishandled right from medical school and through their intern duty.
In his shocking revelation, Dr. Dimbil reported that medical students are faced with systemic delays in medical school, making them take 10 years instead of the stipulated 6 years for the course.
Before becoming certified doctors, young medics must endure challenging internships marked by toxic supervisors, exceptionally long shifts, and no pay.
“Dr. Moraa was the only intern in her department, she was doing 36-hour back-to-back shifts with a very toxic superior who was on her neck. On top of that she was not being paid, I don’t think the government wants to pay medical officer interns any time soon,” said Dr. Dimbil highlighting Moraa’s predicament.
The plight of Kenyan medical officer interns
Dr. Dimbil’s opinions resonate with widespread public sentiment that the government has repeatedly treated medical interns with contempt.
Just recently, hundreds of medical interns took to the streets to demand posting, better working conditions, and appropriate compensation for their efforts.
The agitated medical student interns camped outside the Ministry of Health Afya House headquarters demanding an audience with the then-minister Susan Nakhumicha.
It is well known that medical interns serve as the first line of defense at public health facilities, regularly saving countless lives.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, who is also a medical doctor, recently stated that it is medical interns who are often called in the middle of the night to handle emergencies.
Medical interns are, however, unable to pay their bills and sustain their lives despite the enormous daily sacrifice of serving the Kenyan public.
While its content has not been revealed, Dr. Moraa left a note to her family explaining the tragic incident. The case has been designated as a suicide even as police continue with further investigations.
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