KMPDU hits out at Isiolo Deputy Governor for ordering doctors back to work
The medics said it was unfortunate that instead of meeting their demands, the county government had resorted to threats and intimidation of doctors at the expense of suffering Kenyans.
Isiolo Deputy Governor James Lowasa has ordered striking doctors to resume duty or face disciplinary action as the county government had 'met their demands' even as the doctors' union dismissed the reports and directed its members to stay put.
DG Lowasa cited insurance coverage, recruitment of more doctors who he said were waiting for posting as well as promotions that were pending at the County Public Service Board among the issues that the county he said had fulfilled.
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"There is no reason for any of you to strike because we have met part of our bargain. Those who fail to heed the directive will face disciplinary action. Take caution because the county government is your employer," he said, adding that salaries were also being paid on time.
But the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Upper Eastern branch Secretary Dr Elvis Mwandiki dismissed the Deputy Governor's report as misleading, saying the county had not met the doctors' grievances.
"Provision of adequate insurance cover, hiring of interns and promotion of doctors has not been done and Isiolo is among the counties that have been sluggish in meeting the demands as contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)," he said during an interview with The Eastleigh Voice.
"Intimidation"
The unionists said it was unfortunate that instead of meeting their demands, the county government had resorted to threats and intimidation of doctors at the expense of suffering Kenyans.
"We have (as doctors) on several occasions tried to meet the county officials which turned out to be unsuccessful," Dr Mwandiki claimed, adding that the devolved government has never had a CBA implementation meeting with the doctors.
The strike that entered its fifth day Monday has paralysed specialised services at Isiolo Referral Hospital with patients visiting the facility asked to wait until the boycott ends.
"I wanted my son to be checked by a paediatrician but I was told to follow up on news updates on TV and local radio stations and go back when the strike ends," one of the patients told The Eastleigh Voice at the hospital.
The doctors are lamenting the delayed posting of interns and payment, salary delays, and inadequate insurance coverage.
They want at least Sh569 billion (15 per cent of Kenya's annual budget) set aside as the health budget.
They also want the conversion of contractual terms for health workers to permanent and pensionable and a refund of the housing levy.
A total of 1,210 medical interns, KMPDU data shows, are yet to be posted despite the policy requiring that posting be done 30 days after graduation.
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