The Ministry of Health and county officials are collaborating to establish comprehensive workplace mental wellness programs aimed at supporting healthcare workers nationwide.
Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa announced this initiative on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to strengthen support systems for those in need.
This announcement follows the tragic passing of Desree Moraa, a medical intern at Gatundu Level 5 Hospital, who was found dead in her apartment under suspected suicide circumstances over the weekend.
Barasa described Moraa as a committed healthcare professional with great potential, stating that the new wellness programs will honor her memory.
“Her death serves as a poignant reminder of the silent struggles many in the healthcare profession face,” Barasa said. “As a frontline caregiver, she dedicated herself to improving the lives of others, yet even those who provide care can confront hidden challenges of their own.”
She called for renewed commitment to addressing the growing mental health issues in the country.
Moraa, 27, lived alone on the fourth floor of her apartment, where her body was discovered. The motive for her suspected suicide is still unclear, although police indicated she left a note expressing feelings of stress and being overwhelmed.
In a statement on Tuesday, Dr. Devji Atellah, Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU), attributed Moraa’s death to work-related pressures and poor working conditions.
“Moraa was operating under extremely challenging and unsafe conditions that jeopardized her well-being,” Atellah stated.
