Healthcare crisis worsens as doctors halt clinical trainings in institutions

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists' Union (KMPDU) has intensified their strike by suspending clinical trainings at the University of Nairobi, as the strike enters its 22nd day.

KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah announced the decision on Thursday at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), stating that university trainings would be suspended immediately until the government addressed their concerns.

Atellah also declared that consultants would cease offering services to patients. He emphasised that although a few private hospitals might still be operational, all consultants will join the strike.

“Yes, we may have a few private hospitals that are still working but as of today, all the consultants will not be offering services just like doctors are out,” Atellah said.

Atellah outlined further plans, indicating that the union would rally at Moi University and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) on March 5, 2024, to reinforce their demands.

He reiterated that the strike will persist until the government acknowledges its responsibility to ensure Kenyans have access to healthcare.

“When a doctor is not in the hospital, he or she is not causing any harm to the patient. The government built the hospitals and facilities, and they need to stock them with all the workforce and the equipment and drugs that are needed to serve the public. Therefore, if they cannot honour the collective bargaining agreement for the doctors, it is their responsibility to ensure that is sorted out,” Atellah said.

The doctors have also taken a firm stance regarding the posting of interns, stating that it is non-negotiable.

This comes after the government announced that it had released requisite budget support of Sh2.4 billion for the immediate deployment and posting of the 2023/24 cohort of medical student interns.

All qualifying medical student interns were also advised to obtain their posting letters from the Ministry of Health's offices beginning Thursday, April 4, 2024.

However, Atellah said they have instructed all interns not to accept or pick up the letters until the government honours the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

“The issue of interns cannot be negotiated. We have told all interns that, that letter is disgusting. It is contemptuous and a show of immorality by the government and an injustice being perpetuated to the interns. It is a basic principle that every element of doctors must be respected. Therefore, they will not pick those letters until the government realises there is a need to honour that bargaining agreement,” he said.

On Wednesday, the Employment and Labour Relations Court directed the doctors to suspend the strike and give negotiations a chance.

Justice Byram Ongaya ordered that the negotiations be completed within 14 days and that the parties report back in court by April 17.

"The strike notice remains suspended and the national approach is to be completed in the next 14 days," Ongaya said.

He also directed the Council of Governors (CoG) to develop and file in court a list of hospital staffing gaps to provide minimum services.