Home KENYA NEWS Kenyan Doctors Strike Persists Despite Ministry Efforts

Kenyan Doctors Strike Persists Despite Ministry Efforts

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Kenyan Doctors Strike Persists Despite Ministry Efforts
Doctors Strike

Kenyan doctors remain on strike despite progress made by the Ministry of Health in addressing some of their key demands.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has expressed scepticism towards renewed promises, citing a history of unfulfilled commitments by the government. Secretary General Davji Atellah emphasizes that previous discussions with the Ministry yielded no concrete action, particularly regarding the longstanding issue of intern placements. While the Ministry has pledged to begin posting interns in April, KMPDU seeks tangible solutions and firm implementation plans.

Atellah affirms the importance of past actions in building trust. He points to unfulfilled commitments made in January 2023 as evidence that simply accepting verbal assurances is insufficient. He stresses that the ongoing strike is in place to pressure the government to address its core concerns. The Ministry of Health has acknowledged the need for further dialogue. Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has announced their agreement to begin posting interns, pending approval of funding from the Treasury. She also highlights progress made in resolving internal ministry issues.

“We have had commitments before with the government in January 2023 but nothing to date has been implemented. As we go on with this strike it is not a strike that we are going to accept promises, it is a strike that we are going to accept commitments and outcomes for the doctors,” says Atellah.

However, discussions on more complex matters requiring multi-stakeholder collaboration have been postponed. KMPDU confirms an invitation to a meeting with the Ministry of Labour scheduled for this coming Tuesday. A key sticking point remains the ongoing review of the Health Coverage policy led by acting Health DG Patrick Amoth. Doctors maintain they were excluded from the consensus-building process surrounding the internship policy. Atellah argues that a clear understanding of the existing policy’s shortcomings is essential before discussing its replacement.

On Friday, doctors in Turkana County staged a protest march to express their discontent with the challenges they face in delivering healthcare. The march began in Lodwar town and culminated at the offices of the Public Service Board and the Ministry of Health, where the doctors intended to present a list of their grievances. Turkana County KMPDU Liaison Officer Fatuma Rajab reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of Turkana doctors to the nationwide strike. She complained that doctors themselves are unable to utilize the medical insurance plan they are mandated to participate in. This limitation forces them to seek medical care solely at the Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH).

Rajab further emphasized the unresolved situation surrounding contracted doctors in the county. These doctors, unlike other professional groups who have already been officially integrated, have yet to be formally absorbed by Turkana County despite nearing a year of service. They aimed to engage in dialogue with representatives from both the Public Service Board and the Ministry of Health to seek a swift resolution to this matter.

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