KMPDU condemns attack on health workers at Gertrude’s Children Hospital

Kenyan doctors are drawing a red line in the sand after healthcare workers at one of Nairobi's most respected children's hospitals faced violent attacks that have left the medical community shaken and demanding justice.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a strong condemnation following reports of violence against medical staff at Gertrude's Children Hospital. The union is calling for immediate accountability and demanding that authorities take concrete steps to ensure the safety and dignity of healthcare professionals who risk their lives daily to serve Kenyans.

This attack hits close to home for many families across Kenya who have relied on Gertrude's reputation for quality pediatric care. From mothers who travel from as far as Kisumu with sick children to Nairobi families who trust the facility with their little ones, the hospital has been a beacon of hope. Now, the very people providing this critical care are under threat while simply doing their jobs.

Healthcare workers in Kenya already operate under immense pressure – dealing with staff shortages, limited resources, and the emotional toll of treating sick children. When you add physical violence to this mix, it creates a crisis that affects every Kenyan family. These are the same doctors and nurses who work double shifts, who comfort crying mothers in hospital corridors, and who often use their own M-Pesa to help families who cannot afford treatment.

The incident reflects a growing trend of violence against healthcare workers that extends beyond Nairobi's private hospitals to county facilities across Kenya. From Machakos to Mombasa, medical professionals report increasing cases of families turning violent when treatments don't go as expected, creating a toxic environment that no healthcare worker should endure.

KMPDU's firm stance sends a clear message that the medical community will not normalize violence against its members. The union's call for accountability comes at a time when Kenya desperately needs to retain its healthcare professionals, many of whom are already considering opportunities abroad due to poor working conditions.

Will this incident finally push authorities to implement stronger protections for healthcare workers, or will we continue to lose the very people we depend on to keep our families healthy?