The healthcare sector is facing a paralysis after doctors kicked-off their countrywide strike to protest poor terms of service.

Yesterday, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) cautioned that the seven-day nationwide strike, might last longer than the 2017 standoff which went on for 100 days if no agreement is reached.

Union Secretary-General Dr Davji Atellah said the decision was arrived after lack of consensus with the government on issues affecting healthcare workers across the country.

“We are at a point of no return. We advise our doctors across the country to begin discharging patients and referring them,” a heavily bandaged Dr Atellah said.

He emphasised that strike is the only weapon workers have, which involves withdrawal of labour and skills.

“This is the only way a worker can compel a heartless employer to come to the table,” he stated.

The strike has been boiling for a while now over various demands by the doctors, ranging from the unresolved 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), posting of medical interns, failure to employ doctors in compliance with the set staffing norms and standards for health workers, and failure to provide Comprehensive Medical Insurance cover to KMPDU members, among other.

On March 6, KMPDU issued a seven-day strike, highlighting a series of unresolved issues that have persisted despite repeated attempts at dialogue and negotiation.

Tireless efforts

“The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) wishes to inform the public of a critical development regarding the ongoing issues affecting healthcare workers in our country,” Dr Atellah said.

Regrettably, he said, the government has shown a lack of willingness to address the concerns raised, in the process, leaving healthcare workers frustrated.

“Despite the tireless efforts of medical professionals and their unwavering dedication to providing quality care to all Kenyans, the government’s response has been inadequate and devoid of the necessary urgency to resolve these issues effectively,” he said accompanied by Deputy Secretary General Dr Dennis Miskelah.

Within the seven days of the strike notice, the union has however, expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue and find solutions.

“However, all we have witnessed is a lack of seriousness from the government coupled with a conspicuous absence of goodwill,” he said, adding; “Therefore, it is with great disappointment that we announce the commencement of a nationwide strike starting from midnight today, March 13, 2024.”

The medics had earlier threatened to down their tools if the 2017 CBA is not implemented. Union had also demanded a refund of the deducted housing levy, terming it unconstitutional and illegal.

The union has also called for the conversion of the employment terms of the 113 medical officers hired by Nairobi County under discriminatory contractual terms to permanent and pensionable.

The other issue raised is the perennial delayed posting and payment and general mismanagement of the internship programme as agreed under Article IV of the CBA with the Ministry of Health.

The medics also accused county governments of failing to release doctors eligible for postgraduate, general mismanagement by not remitting allowances; conducting disciplinary processes against released medical officers; compulsory head counts and termination among others.

“This is contrary to Article V. III (E) of the CBA with counties,” he said.

Some of these CBAs, Dr Atellah recollected, were a culmination of painful and prolonged negotiations between the union and the counties following the country’s longest industrial action in 2017, which occasioned patients to untold pain.

“Unfortunately, the government has backtracked on the agreements and there has been scant implementation by you of the Articles and Clauses of the CBAs,” he added.

They also want adequate funding of the health sector with budgetary commitment to fund all signed CBA’s beginning with increasing allocation to counties to Sh425 billion.