The Silent Crisis of Kenya's Medical Interns: A Call for Change**

In Kenya, the tragic suicides of multiple medical interns underscore the profound stress and hardship faced by these young doctors, driven by financial instability, high workloads, and inadequate mental health support. Amid ongoing discussions about improving pay and working conditions, the situation calls for immediate action from the government and healthcare bodies to address these critical issues.**

In a recent tragedy that shook a village in Kenya's Rift Valley, mourners gathered to pay their respects to Francis Njuki, a 29-year-old trainee pharmacist who took his own life after enduring financial and mental hardships as a medical intern. His death is tragically the fifth instance of a medical intern in Kenya ending their life within just two months, a situation that Dr. Davji Atellah from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) sadly remarked the union had never recorded before.

Reports indicate that Njuki struggled with exhaustion and frustration due to delayed government payments, having gone without a salary since his internship began in August. His family revealed that he battled depression and hallucinations attributed to extreme work stress and sleep deprivation. Njuki's death brings to light the plight of many interns who make up about 30% of the workforce in public health facilities, often working long hours under intense pressure without adequate financial support.

In Kenya, the healthcare system heavily relies on these interns, who fulfill vital roles in hospitals despite ongoing disputes between the government and medical unions over their salaries and work conditions. Currently, the government proposed a salary cut for interns, further exacerbating existing frustrations. With reports indicating that some interns receive as little as $540 per month, there are widespread feelings of being undervalued and overworked.

Calls for change are growing, as many interns express a desire to leave the medical profession altogether or seek opportunities overseas. One anonymous intern raised concerns about their resolve to serve being undermined by the government's lack of support, stating, "I have sworn to save life, at the very least... but the government is doing everything to kill my zeal." This distress is compounded by the deaths of other medical professionals, such as Dr. Timothy Riungu, whose exhaustion led to his tragic demise after continuous shifts without leave.

The KMPDU has since issued a nationwide strike notice in protest against the government's failure to address these urgent issues. Families of deceased interns, such as Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi, who also took her life under similar circumstances, have publicly called for accountability from the government.

The Mental Wellness of healthcare workers is an urgent concern. Health Minister Deborah Barasa acknowledged the struggles medics face and promised to implement supportive programs. However, critics point out that many medical schools fail to adequately prepare students for the psychological challenges they will face in their careers.

The alarming rate of suicide among young doctors in Kenya, coupled with the legal repercussions that accompany any attempt at suicide, underscores the critical need for a revamp in how mental health is approached in this profession. Calls for destigmatization of mental health issues, alongside better financial and emotional support for medical interns, are essential if the cycle of despair is to be broken.

With suicide rates in Kenya reported at roughly 1,400 annually, effective change is paramount as health professionals assert their struggles echo a larger issue within the healthcare system. Interns are not only advocating for better pay and conditions but are also demanding a system where their well-being is prioritized, emphasizing, "A healthy doctor builds a healthy nation."