Health crisis deepens as clinical officers vow to join striking doctors

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) have threatened to down their tools effective midnight joining the ongoing doctors' strike which is in its third week.

The clinical officers had issued a seven-day strike notice to the government over grievances that are yet to be addressed.

While addressing the press on Sunday, KUCO chairman Peterson Wachira said the government has refused to comply with their demands, thereby forcing them to commence the strike.

He said all legal mechanisms have been exhausted and they have no other choice but to down their tools.

"The government's failure to engage left us with no choice but to proceed with the strike. Again, despite giving them a seven-day strike notice, the government went mute and hence it is now obvious that as of midnight tonight, the service at 4,172 Level Two, 1,217 Level Three, 3,376 Level Four and also 14 Level Five facilities will be disrupted, as all clinical services come to halt," Wachira said.

Call for dialogue

Wachira urged the government to heed their demand and engage in genuine dialogue to avert further crisis.

"We reiterate our commitment to ensure the welfare of our clinical officers and that of poor Kenyans and the provision of quality services to all Kenyans," he said.

The public has also been advised to seek services from other providers and to support the officers' course to bring a change in the health sector.

Among the demands, the clinical officers issued include a collective bargaining agreement whose terms the government is yet to fulfil.

Wachira noted that their most recent deal, signed by the ministry in July 2023, stated that a 90-day negotiation period would be granted and the CBA concluded.

He added that the government was yet to honour an order issued by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in 2019, for parties to resume negotiations and reach conclusions.

The union also wants the perennial issues affecting the provision of healthcare services addressed, including delayed salary payments, lack of promotions and redesignation, a shortage of clinical officers in hospitals, and terms of employment that the clinical officers have described as exploitative and discriminatory.

The Global Association of Clinical Officers and Physician Associates (GACOPA) underscored their support for the clinical officers' strike.

The association president Austin Otieno said the demands put forth by the clinical officers are not only justified but also crucial for the advancement of healthcare systems and the delivery of quality patient care.

"We fully endorse their call for the ratification of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the implementation of a comprehensive scheme of service, and the urgent employment of additional clinical officers to alleviate the burden on existing healthcare workers," he said.

He reiterated that healthcare authorities and relevant stakeholders must heed to the voices of the dedicated professionals and take concrete steps to address their legitimate concerns.

"Failure to do so not only jeopardises the welfare of clinical officers but also undermines the effectiveness and sustainability of healthcare services in communities around the globe," he said.

"GACOPA stands in solidarity with the clinical officers embarking on this industrial action and pledges to continue advocating for the rights and recognition of healthcare professionals worldwide."