NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s healthcare sector faces renewed turmoil as doctors, represented by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), threaten another strike, citing the government’s failure to fulfill critical agreements made after a previous strike earlier this year.
The union accuses the government of neglecting to implement provisions in the return-to-work agreement signed in May, following a 56-day strike.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atella expressed deep frustration, noting, “The government has not implemented the agreement we signed in May.”
Key concerns reportedly unaddressed include better remuneration and resources for healthcare workers, as well as improved facilities across county hospitals, leaving medical personnel “frustrated and disillusioned,” according to the union.
Dr. Jackson Kamonzi, the union’s North Rift branch secretary, highlighted the ongoing challenges, stating that doctors have been forced to spend time away from patients to negotiate and follow up with county and national officials.
“We have to abandon our work to follow up with counties and the government,” he said.
The union has given the government until November 30 to address these issues or risk further disruption in the healthcare system.
If no progress is made, KMPDU has warned it will issue a seven-day strike notice, signaling potential widespread impact on healthcare services nationwide.
“Our patients have seen enough; we cannot rely on promises anymore,” Dr. Atella added.
The timing of the threatened strike adds to already mounting concerns within Kenya’s healthcare system following the tragic death of a three-year-old child at Longisa Referral County Hospital.
Allegations of negligence have sparked public outrage, after a video circulated showing the child in apparent distress, reportedly left unattended by hospital staff.
The child’s family claims the hospital demanded KSh 5,000 for ambulance transport and an additional KSh 8,000 deposit for a referral to Tenwek AGC Hospital.
Bomet County Health Executive Dr. Joseph Sitonik has since pledged a thorough investigation into the incident.
However, the tragedy underscores ongoing frustrations over service quality and accountability in the public healthcare system.
With doctors pushing back against what they view as broken promises and a recent death bringing Kenya’s healthcare challenges into stark focus, the sector appears at a crossroads, facing a pivotal moment for reform and improvement in patient care.
The union accuses the government of neglecting to implement provisions in the return-to-work agreement signed in May, following a 56-day strike.
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atella expressed deep frustration, noting, “The government has not implemented the agreement we signed in May.”
Key concerns reportedly unaddressed include better remuneration and resources for healthcare workers, as well as improved facilities across county hospitals, leaving medical personnel “frustrated and disillusioned,” according to the union.
Dr. Jackson Kamonzi, the union’s North Rift branch secretary, highlighted the ongoing challenges, stating that doctors have been forced to spend time away from patients to negotiate and follow up with county and national officials.
“We have to abandon our work to follow up with counties and the government,” he said.
The union has given the government until November 30 to address these issues or risk further disruption in the healthcare system.
If no progress is made, KMPDU has warned it will issue a seven-day strike notice, signaling potential widespread impact on healthcare services nationwide.
“Our patients have seen enough; we cannot rely on promises anymore,” Dr. Atella added.
The timing of the threatened strike adds to already mounting concerns within Kenya’s healthcare system following the tragic death of a three-year-old child at Longisa Referral County Hospital.
Allegations of negligence have sparked public outrage, after a video circulated showing the child in apparent distress, reportedly left unattended by hospital staff.
The child’s family claims the hospital demanded KSh 5,000 for ambulance transport and an additional KSh 8,000 deposit for a referral to Tenwek AGC Hospital.
Bomet County Health Executive Dr. Joseph Sitonik has since pledged a thorough investigation into the incident.
However, the tragedy underscores ongoing frustrations over service quality and accountability in the public healthcare system.
With doctors pushing back against what they view as broken promises and a recent death bringing Kenya’s healthcare challenges into stark focus, the sector appears at a crossroads, facing a pivotal moment for reform and improvement in patient care.
