Doctor sent to Cuba and killed under unclear circumstances

Image result for Dr Hamisi Ali Juma

Dr Hamisi Ali Juma’s family on Monday received shocking news that Dr Juma died on Sunday.

Dr Juma was among 50 Kenyan doctors who were sent to Cuba late last year to study family medicine.

He is also a brother to Likoni MP Mishi Mboko,

Previous reports indicated that the doctors had complained of hard living conditions in Cuba’s capital Havana, and despite numerous complaints, the matter was not addressed.

However, Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho have issued a joint press statement asking Kenyans not to speculate.

“The circumstances resulting in the death are not clear yet as investigation by the Cuban authorities are ongoing. As we wait for police report, we urge and request Kenyans to be sensitive to the grieving family and refrain from discussing the case on social or regular media,” read part of the statement.

The statement also said the Kenyan Government is working with Juma’s family to bring his body back to Kenya.

Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Coast Brach Secretary General, Dr Abidan Mwachi said the Kenyan doctors who travelled to Cuba are complaining of poor living conditions.

PHOTO | FILE Dr Abidan Mwachi, the deputy secretary-general of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, has warned that more doctors from various counties at the Coast were on the verge of resigning.

Dr Abidan Mwachi

“They have been complaining through the union about the living conditions in Cuba. They are sharing houses, take two or three hours to travel to work, but the government has failed to address the issue raised,” said Mwachi.

Mwachi described the exchange programme as “dubious.”

“What they are being taught in Cuba can be taught here in Kenya. This is just a dubious programme and we ask the government to bring back the remaining 49 doctors,” said Mwachi on phone. 

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