NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 21 – Medical workers, including doctors, under the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) commenced a nationwide strike on Monday over unmet demands for the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment, enhanced risk allowance and comprehensive medical cover.
Chibanzi Mwachonda, the union’s acting Secretary General, said no progress had been made on talks with the national government.
Provision of adequate PPE, enhanced risk allowance and comprehensive medical cover were among eleven demands the KMPDU had listed in an initial 14-day strike notice issued on November 16, which was later extended for a further 14 days.
Speaking in Kisii, Mwachonda said the union had been negotiating with the government for thirty-six days yet nothing has been done to address their grievances.
Mwachonda said the government threats to doctors in form of circulars on intent to sack them will not intimidate the union to back down.
“Doctors have decided not to endanger their lives and say no to a suicide mission,” Mwachonda while making refence to cases of doctors who have died having contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty.
“We have painful experience of doctors rising up to Sh10 million to cater for ICU fees of their colleagues; to cater for the costs because there is no comprehensive cover,” he added.
Mwachonda dismissed claims by the health ministry that doctors’ demands had been addressed saying Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe should stop intimidating doctors.
He cautioned that the fight against COVID-19 could be lost if doctors keep off hospitals.
“Not even court orders will stop the strike. The orders will not stop doctors from dying,” said Mwachonda.
Nyanza KMPDU Chairperson Kelvin Osuri said the doctors’ welfare should not be politicized.
“Time has come for doctors of this country to be treated with dignity,” he remarked.
“We would rather stay alive than die in hospital,” he added.
