Mukumu Girls Deaths Could Have Been Avoided – Lobby
Inadequate staffing of medical professionals in schools may have contributed to the recent deaths reported in two high schools, according to a statement by a public health workers’ lobby.
At Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School, three students and a teacher tragically lost their lives, while over 100 students from Butere Boys High School were admitted due to cases of food poisoning.
The fatalities at Mukumu were attributed to a combination of E. coli and Salmonella Typhi infections.
These deaths, along with the food poisoning cases at Butere Boys, have raised concerns about the level of healthcare available in schools.
“The recent deaths that were witnessed in some schools could have been prevented if more public health officers were employed” the union said.
They urged for greater investment in prevention measures to address the burden of preventable deaths in Kenya.
Shortage of Public Health Officers
The secretary general of the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Workers (KEHPHW), Brown Achira, highlighted the understaffing issue among public health officers in the country.
Despite their crucial role in combating diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, and tuberculosis, these officers face a shortage of personnel.
KEHPHW stressed the need for public health officers to be equipped with adequate tools for water sampling.
Access to proper equipment is essential for them to carry out their responsibilities effectively and ensure the safety of students.
Furthermore, the lobby called for a well-distributed presence of public health officers across the country.
A balanced distribution would ensure that schools in all regions receive sufficient medical support.
Additionally, the government was urged to prioritize prevention measures as a means of averting potential health crises.
Mukumu Girls Deaths Could Have Been Avoided – Lobby