Health

Health crisis looms as doctors rally private sector support for strike demands

Consultant doctors deliberate on the state of healthcare delivery in Kenya and issue a notice of strike within 7 days. Photo: X/HealthPfroKE

By Barack Oduor | Friday, April 12, 2024

Despite a plea from Head of Public Service Felix Koskei to halt their strike pending government engagement, the doctors remain steadfast in their resolve.

The healthcare system's future remains uncertain as doctors plan to escalate their strike by mobilising colleagues in private hospitals to join their cause.

Expressing their resolve, the doctors announced their intention to rally private sector counterparts in protest against the government next Tuesday.

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Their strategy aims to exert additional pressure on the government to meet their demands.

Enraged by the ongoing impasse, the doctors are adamant about several key demands, including the immediate posting of 1,210 interns with a monthly salary of Sh212,000.

Furthermore, they seek higher salaries for employed doctors, improved medical insurance cover for themselves and their families, and full compensation for doctors pursuing master's degrees or fellowships.

Despite a plea from Head of Public Service Felix Koskei to halt their strike pending government engagement, the doctors remain steadfast in their resolve.

Simon Kigondu, President of the Kenya Medical Association, a doctor's lobby, said, “Government officials don’t seek services in public hospitals and so they’re not affected by the current strike. As long as they are not affected, this strike will not be resolved.”

He spoke at a meeting called by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Dentists, and Pharmacists Union (KMPDU) at the KMA offices in Nairobi.

Because the political class is not being affected, we will mobilise the private sector to withdraw their services in the next seven days.

"From Tuesday, services in the private sector will be withdrawn,” Kigondu said.

During the 2017 strike, striking doctors made a similar successful move. However, those in private hospitals went on strike only one day a week.

KMPDU Deputy Secretary General Dennis Miskellah told the Eastleigh Voice that they would not call off the strike as ordered by Koskei.

“We have been willing to meet with them. There’s no need to put conditions. Already the government is in the wrong,” he said.