Doctors vow to continue with nationwide strike
Medics claim the President was being fed wrong information about the nationwide strike.
Doctors from Nyeri, Muranga, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga and Kiambu counties have reiterated their commitment to the ongoing nationwide strike.
Speaking at the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) Central Branch Annual General Meeting, Secretary-General Dr Davji Atellah said that it's imperative that their voices are heard and their concerns addressed to ensure a sustainable and equitable healthcare system.
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"With solidarity and determination, we stand united in demanding the fulfilment of our legitimate grievances for the betterment of healthcare services," said Dr Atellah.
The nationwide doctor's strike entered its 10th day on Saturday with emergency and critical service doctors joining their colleagues and Union officials calling for a meeting with President William Ruto for a resolution to the stalemate.
"Misinformed"
The call came from KMPDU deputy secretary general Dennis Miskellah, who said the President was being fed wrong information about the strike.
Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union Secretary-General Dr Davji Atellah speaks during the Central Branch Annual General Meeting on March 23, 2024. (Photo: X/Davji Atellah)
"We believe the President is being misinformed on a number of issues we have raised. The Union feels he is the one who will listen to us if we were given time to explain," Dr Miskellah said.
According to him, the government only needs Sh1.4 billion for the posting of intern doctors.
Dr Miskellah added that the matter of interns should not even been part of the discussion.
"There is always a budget for interns in every government. The numbers completing university every year are ready for posting. Are we saying the name 'intern' is the issue and not the money? We just need an hour with the President" he added.
"We are not going to talk about internship. It is the minister's problem and she has to fix it. She is the one who forgot to budget for them. We want to talk about comprehensive issues like hiring more doctors and how to implement the primary healthcare network."
KMPDU leaders and government officials met on Thursday and agreed to form a 13-member committee that will look into the issues raised by the striking doctors.
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