A visit by Zodiak Online to the facility has witness lifesaving wards closed with patients sent back unattended to.

“Some of the wards and departments that have been affected are labor, gynecologic, ante-natal, post-natal, Intensive Care Unit and theater.

“Patients are being told to go back because there are no workers to help them. Overall, we can say about 70 to 80 percent of the work here has been affected,” said one of the workers who are striking.

According to him, very few workers are working to assist newly born babies.

Emily Joseph, an expectant woman from Chileka, was scheduled to go to theater this Monday but was sent back home when she went to the hospital on Sunday.

“I was told to come here today on the 19^th but I have been told upon arrival that the hospital has been closed. I have been told to go to any hospital to be assisted.

“I am very concerned. I travelled all the way from Chileka only to be sent back without being helped,” she said.

Her guardian, Mary Makoko, wondered how her patient will deliver without medical help considering that she needs caesarian delivery.

The workers are pushing for risk allowance, recruitment of additional personnel and protective wear due to the spread of corona virus.

Ministry of Health Spokesperson Joshua Malango says government is working on addressing the concerns by the striking staff.