Police in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, have launched investigations into the death of a medical intern who allegedly committed suicide on Sunday, September 22, 2024.
The body of Dr Desree Moraa Obwogi, a medical intern at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital, was found dangling from the balcony of a house she shared with a friend, metres away from the health facility after she had worked a 36-hour shift.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear, but a suicide note that she left behind suggests that the deceased was disturbed and had difficulties in her work environment.
“A suicide incident was reported at the station; we established that a lady of about 27 years had committed suicide,” said Gatundu South OCPD Stella Cherono.
According to the caretaker of the house where she lived, Dr Moraa was an introvert who mostly kept to herself.
“I saw her come in on Sunday evening, she said hi as she hurriedly went to their ground-floor corner house,” the caretaker said.
“Dr Moraa was not a lady of many words and hardly spoke or mingled with tenants here.”
Following her death, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) on Tuesday called for better working conditions for junior doctors.
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Union officials in Kiambu County decried the frustrations, long working hours and unfriendly working conditions for junior doctors.
“We have been complaining about the low number of doctors. This is not the first time we have lost the lives of junior doctors,” said Maina Githinji, chairperson of KMPDU Central Kenya.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah demanded for a healthcare system that prioritises workers’ mental well-being and ensures fair compensation to prevent exploitation.
“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 who we have mourned before. It is a dangerous system that will continue to wreak havoc on the lives of healthcare workers,” the statement read.
“The healthcare system has recently experienced significant disruptions after doctors went on strike demanding for better working conditions. These include; providing a comprehensive medical cover for medics, clearing unpaid salaries and improving interns’ pay.”
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.
