Doctors' strike: Raila calls for government action to end healthcare crisis

Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga has advised President William Ruto on resolving the impasse between his administration and striking medics.

Following a meeting with leaders of his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party in Nairobi on Thursday, Raila expressed grave concern over the deteriorating situation, warning of an imminent full-blown crisis if all health workers down their tools.

"Already, clinical officers have joined the strike. I, therefore, have a personal appeal to both the government and the doctors, after wide consultations, I am convinced that the doctors and all other health workers currently on strike will be able to craft a return-to-work formula and resume duty if the government were to meet their demands halfway while negotiations continue," said Raila.

He urged the government to promptly address the issue of interns, emphasising the importance of honouring the agreed-upon monthly pay of Sh206,000.

"These are the doctors running Level Four and many other public hospitals. There is no way an employer can reduce the salaries of employees mid-stream," Raila said.

He explained that the reduction of monthly payments distorts everything in the lives of the interns. "I therefore appeal to the government to reinstate the Sh206,000 pay for interns until the next CBA negotiation, which is around the corner, kicks in."

Raila's remarks come as the doctors' strike enters its fourth week, primarily driven by demands for the proper implementation of intern postings and fair compensation.

According to the 2017 CBA with the Council of Governors (CoG), interns were to earn a minimum of Sh206,989, including allowances, and the top earners would take home Sh582,954.

Raila emphasised that during the next negotiation round, both parties must present their cases for consideration.

Further studies

Raila also highlighted the issue of doctors pursuing further studies, stressing that counties should cover salaries while the Ministry of Health handles fees. He called on the Ministry of Health to promptly settle fee balances for doctors in training to facilitate their graduation.

"A number of doctors cannot complete their studies and graduate because of fees owed. And as they retake courses, counties have stopped their salaries because those doctors have overstayed in college. I appeal to the Ministry of Health to immediately engage the doctors and their learning institutions to clear the fee balances and enable the doctors to complete their studies," he appealed.

The ODM Party leader further called for a resolution on the issue of short-term contracts for doctors in high-end hospitals, advocating for equitable pay across the health sector.

"I have been shocked to learn that some of our high-end hospitals are hiring doctors on as short as a month, two-month, or three-month contracts," Raila said.

He urged intervention to address the disparity in salaries among doctors performing similar roles, emphasising the critical importance of managing the medical profession more diligently.

"Doctors are complaining about a free-for-all system where some employers have the free hand to decide what to pay."

Lastly, Raila appealed to counties that have terminated doctors' contracts to reconsider their actions and engage with the affected doctors.