By Kuria Kimani
The late Dr. Mogusu was a young and passionate medical practitioner who succumbed to Covid-19 complications. He was one of the many medics who ‘sacrificed’ their lives for the sake of an unappreciative country. The medics in the country have been exposed to the virus and most of them have contracted the virus and in cases such as this, end up losing their lives. The Coronavirus Pandemic has wrecked untold havoc in the country, and particularly hit the health sector hardest. It is a crisis that has brought countries to their knees and badly exposed Kenya’s health sector. The situation at Kenya’s frontline is to say the least, pitiable. Medical practitioners have paid the ultimate price as government operatives benefit and make million of dollars from the pandemic. They watch over the patients, administer treatments, and nurse them back to full recovery. The doctors and nurses take the blows on behalf of citizens and are consistently placing their lives on the line.
Age and Place of Birth
Dr. Mogusu was 28 years old at the time of his demise. He lives in Nairobi County, at the time of his demise.
Education Background
The late doctor is a graduate from the University of Nairobi where he pursued a course in Medicine and Surgery. He achieved the chance to pursue the degree after a starling performance in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) from Lenana High School.
Career Journey
Dr. Stephen kicked off his career in the medical world during his internship at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital. He spent a couple of months at the institution developing his foundation in the medical world. At the time of his demise, he was affiliated to Stablehealth Medicare Clinic and supplemented his income in a government job.
Personal Life
The late doctor was a passionate medic who offered his life in service to the Kenyan citizens in fighting the Covid-19 Pandemic. He spent much of his time in service and ultimately met his death at the risky frontline.
He left behind a wife, Mrs. Mogusu and a five month old child. His death was a needless one given the negligence and sheer greed that has turned medical institutions around the country into cash cows for well connected individuals. Most medics still do not have any access to adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the necessary gear in addressing an infectious virus of the Covid-19 potency. Sub standard equipment is also a flaw exposing the doctors and nurses on a humongous scale. Dr. Mogusu became one of the fallen heroes without capes following complications arising from the disease. Moreover, a greater flaw exposed is that of the government’s failure to pay their civil servants.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) revealed that he had not received his salary in the past five months, and above that had no medical insurance cover for his health needs and for his dependents. The situation is extremely dire and has fueled the anger that medics harbor in response to their delayed salaries. Claims on welfare packages have not benefited many of the professionals since they were already straining extended budgets.
Last Words and Reception
His last words particularly shook the nation and left many medics giving second thought to their profession choices. In a Whatsapp message gone viral, he asked his colleagues to leave the field as soon as they could. He says, “..but today I just want to say save your miserable selves from those institutions, you’ll live to earn again.. Save yourselves.” The passage evidenced the rotten nature of things in the medical sector in Kenya. The message elicited thousands of responses online, and conversations emerging in condolence messages, the corruption scandals at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and Covid19Millionaires, the Building Bridges Initiative, and the delayed salaries for civil servants. Kenyans have reacted asking the government to make quick reforms and for a reevaluation of the health sector. News on planned cover ups happening behind the scenes have been making rounds on Twitter.
Kenyans are generally angered with the government for not taking the lives of frontline workers seriously. The government has condoned immense theft in corrupt practices and the release of substandard equipment and gear. Kenyans want something to be drastically changed in the sector in response to the unnecessary deaths of medics. Rest in Peace, Dr. Stephen Mogusu.
