Many patients were being referred to hospitals in Kirinyaga and Tharak-Nithi counties or privately owned hospitals. Updated Wed, August 3rd 2016 at 16:27 GMT +3KENYA: Patients seeking specialised treatment at the Embu Level Five Hospital were turned away and referred to other health facilities as a strike by medical doctors entered day eight Wednesday. The strike by doctors, dentists and pharmacists to demand hiring of more medics and their promotions began Wednesday. Committee Chairman Joseph Mwaniki, however, ruled out employing more doctors since the hospital's salaries consume 54 percent of the Sh3 billion wage bill. The wards at the facility which acts as a referral to other hospitals in Embu, Kirinyaga, Tharaka-Nithi and parts of Machakos counties remained deserted as families have transferred their patients elsewhere.

Source: Standard Digital August 03, 2016 13:30 UTC