International Council of Nurses condemns violence against health workers in Kenya and supports the National Nurses Association of Kenya call for protection of patients and health workers

Geneva, Switzerland, 1^st February 2008 –The International Council of Nurses (ICN) today strongly condemned all forms of violence against health workers in Kenya and expressed support for the National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK) appeal to protect health workers and patients during the continuing violence and social chaos in Kenya.

The NNAK is appealing:

1. To the government to provide security to nurses and other health workers while on duty, travelling to and from work and at their homes.
2. To all professionals to respect their code of ethics while discharging their duties irrespective of their patients’ political or ethnic background.
3. To all employers not to victimize employees who might be unable to report for duty.
4. To H.E. President Mwai Kibaki and Hon. Eng. Raila Odinga to engage in a peaceful dialogue as a way forward to restoring dignity and unity to Kenya as a nation to foster positive development.
5. To politicians to stop the ‘blame game’ and instead retreat together in the spirit of inter party parliamentary group and only address the Kenyan people when they have joint resolutions on the way forward.

The appeal follows a particularly violent episode when tear gas was thrown into two hospitals sending over 500 patients, nurses, doctors and members of staff into panic.

ICN condemns acts of abuse and violence perpetrated against any person, including other health care professionals, patients, children, the elderly, and other private citizens.  ICN firmly believes that violence in the health workplace threatens the delivery of effective patient services and, therefore, patient safety.  If quality care is to be provided, nursing personnel must be ensured a safe work environment and respectful treatment.

ICN joins NNAK in a call for an immediate peaceful resolution of the disputed elections.

Editor's Note:

The International Council of Nurses is a federation of 133 national nurses' associations representing millions of nurses worldwide.  Operated by nurses for nurses since 1899, ICN is the international voice of nursing and works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.

For further information contact Linda Carrier-Walker Tel : (+41 22) 908 0100; fax : (+41 22) 908 0101; email: Web site http://www.icn.ch

ICN/PR08 #2