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Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged doctors to reconsider their stance and engage in negotiations with the government to prevent a planned strike. She emphasized the government’s dedication to addressing the issues raised by doctors to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services throughout the festive season.
Speaking in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, Muthoni highlighted the critical role of doctors during the holidays and appealed for their cooperation in continuing to save lives.
The PS also cautioned the public, particularly women, about the dangers of using harmful cosmetics, warning that some products could cause skin diseases. She disclosed that the ministry is awaiting a report on rogue beauty parlors conducting illegal skin surgeries. “A month ago, we had a case where a Kenyan lost her life due to a botched skin surgery. We reported the matter to the relevant government agencies and are awaiting the full report,” Muthoni said.
Additionally, she advised against the use of over-the-counter medication without proper prescriptions from qualified medical practitioners, noting that this practice endangers lives.
Muthoni urged Kenyans to embrace wellness screenings, emphasizing that early detection of conditions like high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels through community health promoters could lead to timely treatment.
“The best gift you can give your family and children is to register them with the Social Health Authority (SHA). This ensures they are covered in case of unexpected emergencies,” she said. The government, she added, is committed to providing treatment to all individuals, regardless of their status, at any level of healthcare facility.
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