Following discussions with numerous stakeholders, the doctors’ strike, which was scheduled to start on Friday, January 6, 2023, has been postponed.
The medics had threatened to stop providing services if their 2017–2021 CBA demands weren’t realized.
Dr. Davji Atellah, secretary general of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists’ Union, stated that the move is intended to allow for dialogue.
Read:60 Women To Receive Free Fistula Treatment And Surgeries At KNH
“We as a union do not intend in any way to take Kenyans back to that pain and frustration. We understand that healthcare is a sacred human right that must not be denied to any person, especially in their time of most need. However, doctors too need to be supported, to be skilled, and to be motivated to provide that much-needed service and relief at the point of most vulnerability,” he said.
The Secretary-General, on the other hand, stressed that the union’s willingness to engage in talks must be proportional to the government’s willingness to keep its promises within 60 days.
Read: Respiratory Device Made In Kenya Saves Newborns In Ukraine
In an effort to find a middle ground and prevent the strike, the union has been in discussions with the Council of Governors health committee, Susan Wafula, the labor committee, and others.
They criticized the Ministry of Health, county governments, and parastatals in the health sector for their delayed execution of the agreement.
Email your news TIPS to editor@thesharpdaily.com