Ruto Given Ultimatum by 6 Unions: Hire 20,000 or Face Consequences
The Kenya Health Professionals Society (KHPS) issued an ultimatum to the government on July 9 demanding that 20,000 health workers be hired immediately.
In addition, KHPS, an umbrella organization for six health workers’ unions, asserted that the Ministry of Health should implement an annual hiring program to equip the country’s health sector.
In a press release, the society stated that if the government fails to fulfill its demands, healthcare workers across the nation will go on strike at midnight on Thursday, July 13.
“Inadequate employment of health professionals in the correct proportions is one of the greatest challenges facing the health sector.
KHPS explained, “It is regrettable that this country has failed to establish a framework that would ensure adequate staffing of health workers in proportion to population growth over the past six decades.”
To ensure the uninterrupted delivery of health services, the organization noted that, despite its opposition to hospital-based contracts, counties should consider absorbing all health employees who face imminent termination.
The health professionals organization noted that President William Ruto’s administration had pledged to hire 20,000 healthcare employees, but had not allocated funds for this purpose in the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
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KHPS was also concerned about the National Hospital Insurance Fund’s (NHIF) proposal to increase monthly contributions to 2.75 percent of the basic salary.
“Many Kenyans have difficulty using NHIF cards to access health services in light of the institution’s corruption scandals.
“NHIF must explain to Kenyans how the increase in contributions will allow them to access quality health care without suffering catastrophic financial loss,” the organization stated.
Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), and Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU) make up KHPS.
The Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), the Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists and Officers (KNUPT), and the Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians (KUNAD) are additional organizations.
The demands were issued on the same day that the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) demanded a review of its members’ salaries and gave the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) 14 days to convene negotiations.
Ruto Given Ultimatum by 6 Unions: Hire 20,000 or Face Consequences
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