Health

Doctors' union issues strike ultimatum over unresolved demands

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) on Monday began peaceful protests due to delays in calling for the posting of medics interns. (Photo: Amnesty Kenya)

By Lucy Mumbi | Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Miskellah warned that unless the issues are addressed within seven days, the union will initiate a strike and continue the industrial action until resolutions are reached.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has instructed doctors nationwide to go on strike starting next Wednesday if their demands are not met

This is despite Tuesday's appeals from Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha for dialogue to resolve the issues they have raised.

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KMPDU Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah stated on Wednesday that the meeting between the Ministry of Health and unions failed to address their concerns, prompting the union to issue an official seven-day strike notice, which would disrupt health services across the country.

"The meeting yesterday (Tuesday) morning, as promised by CS Susan Nakhumicha, yielded no resolution. The ministry stated their hands are tied, hence we hope this notice will prompt action," Miskellah remarked.

"On Wednesday, there will be no single medical doctor in any hospital where KMPDU has a membership."

Initially scheduled for Sunday, the strike notice was postponed after a meeting with Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, which failed to yield meaningful results.

"We went to the ministry, and sadly nothing meaningful came out of that meeting. The PS said that either the interns wait for July or accept to work without a salary or wait as they plead with the Treasury," Miskellah said.

Among the unresolved issues are delayed intern posting and payments, staffing compliance, salary delays, and inadequate insurance coverage.

The union is also demanding a refund of the housing levy, conversion of contractual terms for health workers to permanent and pensionable, and increased allocation to counties to Sh425 billion.

Miskellah warned that unless the issues are addressed within seven days, the union will initiate a strike and continue the industrial action until resolutions are reached.