Herbal medical practitioners in the North Rift region now say they are ready to step in and fill a gap left by the ongoing doctors’ strike.
Doctors across the county are on industrial action, demanding among others recruitment of medical interns.
But even as the strike partially affects access to health services, the herbal doctors say Kenyans should not worry as they are equally capable of handling their medical needs.
Led by Dr Jamal Diriwo Mungatana, the herbalists noted that it was time Kenyans accepted their ability to handle medical needs just like what is offered in hospitals.
In an interview with Uasin Gishu News on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Dr Mungatana who runs Tana River Arabic Herbal Clinic in Eldoret further called on the modern doctors to be free to work with them.
“As herbal doctors, we have put in place mechanisms to ensure no patient does not get access to health services because of the current strike and it is time hospitals allowed us to have our sections within their set up,” he said.
Herbalists partner Ministry of Health
Traditional medical practitioners already have a working relationship with the Ministry of Health under the National Traditional Health Practitioners Association.
However, he expressed the need for more collaboration as it is happening in other countries like China and India.
“With the ongoing strike, patients should not fear as we are here to offer them the support they need. We are trained and our medicine is of the right quality just like the modern ones,” he said.
For the Tana River Arabic Clinic, the herbalists say they have put in place a mechanism that allows a patient to access their services and medicines anywhere in the country.
He noted that they do deliveries nationally.
“We aim to save the lives of Kenyans. We’re at your service and we have enough drugs to serve Kenyans,” Mungatana said
“You can reach out to me on the mobile numbers 0733911903 or 0727726747,” he added.