Patients bear brunt of Kisumu health workers’ strike
By Noven Owiti, December 16, 2019
Services in public hospitals in Kisumu have been paralysed as a standoff over return-to-work agreement between the county government and health workers enters the third week.
An agreement is yet to be reached to end the strike that has affected services for the last two weeks.
A spot check by People Daily established patients continue to bear the brunt of the industrial action, with some being transferred to private hospitals.
Governor threatens
Over the weekend, Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o directed health practitioners to report back to work as the county government looks into their grievances. He threatened to withhold their monthly salaries should they fail to adhere to the order.
Nyong’o said proposals on the health workers promotions had been deliberated and adopted by his Cabinet last week and was waiting the approval of the County Service Board.
But the doctors have remained adamant, maintaining that they will only resume duty once their demands are fully met. The grievances include promotions, study leave, NHIF cover and remittances of statutory deductions.
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union Nyanza branch chair Kevin Osuri said the union signed a CBA with the county in June but Nyong’o has refused to implement it.