The Heartbreaking Story of Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi
The whole country has been thrown into mourning following the unfortunate demise of Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi, a bright soul and shining light who lost her life due to Kenya’s poor healthcare system, which fails to prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of its practitioners.
Background
Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi, a graduate of Egerton University, was posted to Gatundu County Referral Hospital in Kiambu County for her internship. While working at the public hospital as an intern, she was overworked, enduring 12-hour shifts that often extended to 36 hours without adequate rest or meals.
The pressure from her landlord due to unpaid rent, the heavy workload at the hospital, coupled with pressure from her consultant and insufficient pay to cover her expenses, reportedly led to her taking her own life on her balcony on the night of September 22, 2024.
While Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi was giving life at the hospital, life’s challenges in the country were taking a toll on her.
‘One of my colleagues Dr. Moraa hanged herself on her balcony yesterday night. She cited frustrations from her consultants to do rounds and continuous 12-hour shifts that end up in 36 hours. She had no food in the last 12 hours before her death. She also hadn’t paid rent for this month and the landlord was on her neck. She doesn’t drink or smoke. Mental health is important. I have to admit that on Friday night I tried to overdose but ended up just oversleeping. Let’s pray for all medical interns in the country because what we’re going through cannot be expressed in words’ – C’llin Harry, a colleague of the late Doctor posted on his wall.
Reactions from the Kenyan medical interns’ fraternity
Following the demise of Dr. Moraa, the medication association issued a statement, demanding a better welfare packages for its members. In solidarity, the fraternity withdrew its service from and demanded all medical interns not to report to their place of assignment for 36 hours.
We stand in solidarity with Dr. Moraa’s memory and all those who have faced similar struggles. To honor her and to raise awareness about these critical issues, we will observe 36 hours of mourning starting Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at noon. During this period, all medicalintems (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 remembrance. – part of the statement reads.
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