FRUSTRATED MEDICAL INTERN COMMITS SUICIDE

A 27-year-old medical intern, identified as Dr. Desree Moraa Obwogi has died in what authorities’ suspect is a case of suicide.
Dr. Moraa’s body was discovered late Sunday night on the balcony of her fourth-floor apartment in Gatundu. According to police and her colleagues, she was found hanging with a rope tied around her neck.
Officials confirmed that Dr. Moraa was living alone at the time of her death.
While the exact motive remains unclear, a suicide note was found, suggesting she had been experiencing extreme stress and feelings of being overworked.
Dr. Moraa’s family expressed their heartbreak at the loss, while her friends and colleagues attributed her death to the immense pressures she faced both professionally and personally.
They revealed that she had been working demanding shifts, often lasting up to 36 hours. A user on X gave rather chilling details that Dr. Moraa was frustrated by her bosses and forced to do three continuous shifts each lasting 12 hours without a break to rest or eat.
Police were called to the scene on Sunday evening and have classified the case as an ongoing suicide investigation.
Dr. Moraa’s body was moved to a local mortuary, where an autopsy will be performed to determine the official cause of death.
Her colleagues, deeply mourning her loss, described her as a dedicated medical professional. In a statement, fellow medical interns highlighted the overwhelming financial and emotional burdens they face daily.
“Her untimely death, reportedly by suicide, highlights a dire situation that has persisted within our ranks—one marked by overwhelming financial constraints and a toxic work environment,” the interns said in their statement.
They added that Dr. Moraa, like many medical interns, struggled to meet basic needs such as rent and utility bills, while also enduring relentless pressure from supervisors and consultants.
“This heartbreaking incident is not an isolated case; it underscores the urgent need for the Ministry of Health to address the negligence and inconsiderate treatment of medical interns, who represent a significant portion of the healthcare workforce in public facilities,” the group continued.
The interns pointed out that they contribute approximately 30% of the labor in public health facilities, often working shifts that extend beyond 36 hours without proper rest or meals.
To honour their late colleague and to raise awareness about these critical issues, the group said they will observe 36 hours of mourning starting Tuesday, September 24, at noon.
“We urge all medical superintendents, chief executive officers of major referral hospitals, county executive committee members of health, and all medical interns to join us in this solemn remembrance,” the interns said.
During this period all medical interns (medical officers, dentists and pharmacists) will withdraw their services from health facilities.