Health workers issue ultimatum, threaten nationwide strike
Health workers across Kenya have given the government a deadline of March 9, 2023, to address a range of pending issues.
Failure to resolve these matters, they warn, will result in a nationwide strike.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) outlined key concerns that must be tackled, including the posting of interns, promotions, medical cover, payment of postgraduate fees, study leaves, and pensions.
The decision to issue the ultimatum was reached during a meeting of the National Advisory Committee Council on March 3.
Deputy Secretary-General Dennis Miskellah emphasised that while the strike notice was originally planned for June, recent events have necessitated advancing the timeline.
Miskellah cited the injury of Secretary-General Davji Atellah during peaceful protests on February 29 and ongoing disputes over the posting of interns as contributing factors to the decision.
“We met as the National Advisory Committee Council, and we have agreed to commence our nationwide strike starting Sunday next week,” Miskellah announced.
“We are going to give a seven-day notice today, then proceed with our nationwide strike to ensure that every single issue we have fought for, from promotions to medical cover, internship, pension, study leaves, school fees, and issues around the SG, must be addressed.”
According to KMPDU, there are 1,215 medical interns awaiting posting, with some waiting for up to six months or a year.
Despite an agreement reached in a meeting between the unions and the Ministry of Health on January 22 to post all interns by the end of February, the delay persists due to a lack of funds from the Treasury.
Health CS Susan Nakhumicha in an interview with NTV, clarified that Sh4.9 billion is needed to post the interns, reiterating that the funds are contingent on approval from the Treasury.
Until these funds are released, Nakhumicha stated, the interns cannot be posted.
The Ministry had initially committed to posting all 3,759 interns, including medical officers, dentist officers, pharmacists, nursing officers, and clinical officers, by June.
However, without the necessary financial backing, the fate of these interns remains uncertain.
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