Garissa MCAs question county health officials over unmet workers’ demands
Other members raised concerns about issues highlighted by the striking health workers, including the lack of promotions, denial of leave allowances, and uniform provisions.
The Garissa County committees on Health and Sanitation and County Affairs, Intergovernmental Relations, and Public Service questioned the County Health Executive over threats of disciplinary measures against striking health workers as the industrial action entered its second week.
The Garissa County Health Executive Committee Member (CECM), Ahmednadir Omar, and the County Director of Health, Aden Hussein, responded to questions regarding the disciplinary letters and measures undertaken by the county government to resolve the ongoing strike, which has crippled service delivery at health centres.
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Khadija Idris, a nominated Member of the Assembly, questioned why the department had issued an intimidatory letter to the striking health workers despite picketing being their constitutional right.
Damajale Ward MCA, Omar Abdi Hassan, asked why promotion letters were sent to some of the striking health workers on March 7.
Another nominated member, Amina Bulo, challenged the health executive to explain why the county government had failed to honour the return-to-work agreement signed by Garissa Governor Nathif Jama three months ago.
"Health crises are serious matters, and we need to understand why it was beyond the executives to honour the signed agreement with the health union," said County Majority Leader Mohamed Abdi of Dadaab Ward.
Other members raised concerns about issues highlighted by the striking health workers, including the lack of promotions, denial of leave allowances, and uniform provisions.
Dereliction of duty
In response, the CECM for Health and Sanitation, Ahmednadir, stated that disciplinary letters were only sent to health workers who were not part of the striking union, as their actions amounted to desertion and dereliction of duty.
He clarified that the letters and roll call conducted were not intended to intimidate the striking health workers but were necessary for maintaining accurate attendance records and ensuring the continued operation of health services in the interest of patients.
"Our actions were aimed at safeguarding the rights of both patients and other employees who chose to remain on duty," he claimed.
Addressing concerns about honouring the return-to-work agreement, County Director of Health Aden Hussein informed members that the department's lack of financial and operational autonomy had been the biggest obstacle to meeting the demands of the striking health workers.
He emphasised that the implementation of promotions and other benefits requires a multi-agency approach involving the County Human Resource Advisory Committee, the County Public Service Commission, and the Treasury.
Hope for resolution
He hoped the matter would soon be resolved following a meeting between departmental heads, the governor, and the County Public Service Board regarding the promotion of 616 staff members eligible for advancement.
Regarding the promotion letters issued to some of the striking health workers during the industrial action, he stated that they were issued in "good faith," with the anticipation that more would be provided by the County Public Service Board.
The Committee Chairperson on Health, Aden Hassan Odowa, urged the executives to provide proof of correspondence between the departments and the union in their efforts to resolve the strike.
Majority Leader Mohamed further advised the department to prudently utilise the Sh40 million allocated in the supplementary budget approved last week for the purpose of covering promotion perks for frontline workers, warning against any misuse of the funds.
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