Rights activists urge state and striking doctors to resume dialogue

An international body of legal practitioners has urged the government to immediately embrace dialogue and resolve the issues affecting healthcare workers.

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Kenya, through its chairperson Protus Saende, on Friday, called upon the Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC), the National and county governments and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) to solve their impasse as soon as possible. 

"We urge all of them to acknowledge and ensure that healthcare workers, including medical interns, receive fair and competitive compensation that recognises their training, expertise, and nature of work," said Saende in a statement.

ICJ also wants the key players to honour Collective Bargaining Agreements and all court orders issued on the nationwide strike and protect patients from bearing the brunt of the stand-off. 

"The doctors' strike comes at a time when the government is transitioning from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) established in 2023,” the jurists underlined. 

“Health facilities have raised concerns over the delay in the payment of NHIF claims. Some private health facilities have been compelled to require NHIF beneficiaries to pay out of pocket for medical services, which is not affordable for the majority of Kenyans," they added. 

In the statement, the human rights activists also emphasised that doctors and healthcare workers are essential contributors to society, offering vital care during illness and distress. 

According to the jurists, the medics' experience is evident in their extensive and rigorous training, spanning more than ten years, with significant financial investments required for their education. 

"Beyond the academic challenges, their jobs demand long hours, and an unwavering commitment to patient well-being, including high-pressure decision-making scenarios where split-second judgments are critical," Saende defended the medical practitioners. 

Doctors have insisted that they have a right to continue striking until their grievances, including remuneration, promotion of doctors and posting of interns, are met. 

However, the government on its end, claims that the medics are flouting court orders which directed them to return to work.