Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah has reported the tragic suicide of an intern doctor, citing workplace frustrations as the cause.
In a statement on Tuesday, November 26, Atellah revealed that the male intern doctor took his own life after enduring long, unpaid shifts.
“Another doctor intern has tragically taken his own life this morning, a heartbreaking outcome of relentless workplace frustrations under a government that seems indifferent,” he remarked. “Four months of working over 36-hour shifts without pay can break even the strongest among us. Our hearts ache as the medical fraternity mourns for our younger brothers and sisters. We shall not take this anymore,” Atellah added.
This incident follows the suicide of Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi, another intern doctor, who passed away on Sunday, September 22. Her death was attributed to overwhelming workplace pressures, including financial hardships and excessive working hours.
A suicide note found at the scene highlighted her struggles with a stressful work environment, financial difficulties, and insufficient rest.
At the time, KMPDU called for urgent reforms, emphasizing the need for better workplace conditions that prioritize doctors’ mental health and fair compensation.
“A workplace should not make workers feel so isolated and desperate that they believe there is no way out. The system as designed failed Dr. Moraa and many others we have mourned before. It is a dangerous system that will continue to wreak havoc on the lives of healthcare workers,” KMPDU stated.
In response to Dr. Moraa’s death, the Ministry of Health pledged to implement mental wellness programs aimed at healthcare workers across the country.
Health Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Barasa assured the medical community that these programs would address mental health challenges and provide critical support for those in need.
