A young medical intern at Gatundu County Referral Hospital has died after a suspected suicide.
Dr Desree Moraa Obwogi was found dead on the balcony of her bedroom apartment on Sunday night, police and her colleagues said.
Police who visited the scene said they found her body dangling near a balcony with a rope tied around her neck.
According to a statement from the medical interns’ fraternity of Kenya, Dr Moraa was pushed to her breaking point because of frustrations from her supervisors at the facility.
Further, the statement noted that Dr Moraa struggled to meet her basic needs, such as rent and utility bills, compounded by the relentless demands from supervisors and consultants.
Additionally, the doctor was forced to work shifts longer than 36 hours without rest or good food.
“Her untimely death, reportedly by suicide, highlights a dire situation that has persisted within our ranks – one marked by overwhelming financial constraints and a toxic working environment,” the statement reads in part.
At the same time, the statement noted that Moraa’s situation was not an isolated case and called on the Ministry of Health to address the negligence and reckless treatment of medical interns.
Dr Moraa, 27, stayed alone at the time of the death, officials said.
She stayed on the fourth floor of the apartment where the body was found.
She had left a suicide note to suggest a motive, police and family said.
In the note, she said she was stressed and overworked.
Her family said they were heartbroken by the incident, and the body was taken to the mortuary for an autopsy. Her colleagues remembered her as a dedicated doctor.
To honour her and raise awareness of these critical issues, the group said it would observe 36 hours of mourning from noon on Tuesday September 24.
During this period, all medical practitioners (medical officers, dentists and pharmacists) will withdraw their services.
“We urge all medical superintendents, chief executive officers of major referral hospitals, county executive committee members of health and all medical interns to join us in this solemn mourning,” the interns said.
The interns said the management of facilities should anticipate and plan accordingly to ensure that health and medical services are not disrupted.
