Strike looms at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital as doctors issue notice over unresolved grievances

Doctors at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret are set to down tools in two weeks unless their concerns, stemming from unresolved Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) issues, are addressed.

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary-General, Davji Atellah, condemned the hospital’s failure to honour the 2017 and 2021 CBAs.

He listed several grievances, including the hospital’s failure to convert contractual terms into permanent and pensionable employment for doctors.

Atellah accused MTRH of engaging in unfair labour practices, highlighting irregular employment contracts, denial of leave, lack of medical cover, stagnant career progression, and the withholding of gratuities and pensions for affected doctors.

Additionally, the union noted that MTRH had failed to remit third-party deductions, such as bank loans, investment policies, SACCO contributions, pension deductions, and deductions under the SHA programme.

KMPDU also raised concerns about the hospital’s failure to promote senior doctors and its neglect to register the 2021-2025 CBA.

This oversight, Atellah said, has prevented doctors from receiving key benefits, including equipment allowances, academic release, and other entitlements.

Atellah explained the union’s position, emphasising the dire conditions facing doctors at the hospital.

“As KMPDU, we are issuing a strike notice, particularly for Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The next strike will involve all consultants and doctors working at MTRH,” he said.

“We are issuing a 14-day strike notice set to commence on February 4, 2025.”

Atellah outlined the primary issues leading to the strike notice, including discrimination against doctors, lack of medical cover, stagnant career progression, and exploitation through manual labour.

“The hospital promised to convert these doctors to permanent terms by last year, and this has not been done,” he said.

He also pointed out the hospital’s failure to remit third-party deductions, which he described as creating severe financial strain for the doctors.

“The hospital has been deducting amounts for bank loans, SACCO contributions, and other investments, but has not been remitting these funds. Some doctors have been facing penalties for loans, and some payments have been delayed for over a year,” he said.

Another serious concern was the lack of medical insurance for doctors at the hospital. Atellah lamented that it was unacceptable that doctors working at MTRH had to struggle for basic healthcare.

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“These doctors have to send 100 emails just to access care in MTRH. They’re begging for healthcare because they don’t have medical insurance,” he added.

The union also raised concerns about the operational shortcomings at the hospital, with Atellah noting that in November, December, and part of January, the oxygen plant was non-functional, and essential medical supplies were in short supply.

“Doctors had to supervise the death of patients due to a lack of basic resources,” he said.

Atellah expressed frustration with management’s response, citing claims of budget cuts as the reason for the lack of resources.

“When these issues are raised, management claims there are budget cuts and that the ministry reduced the budget by Sh2 billion,” he said.

“Our concern is not about the budget cuts; it’s about whether patients are getting the care they need and if doctors are being supported to do their job.”

KMPDU has warned that if these issues remain unresolved, doctors at MTRH will withdraw their services, potentially crippling operations at the crucial referral facility.

The union has called on MTRH management and relevant stakeholders to take immediate action to resolve the issues and prevent a looming healthcare crisis.