Doctors Issue Strike Notice As Medical Interns Placement Dispute Escalates
Medical intern placement has become a contentious issue between doctors represented by the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentist Union and Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakumicha.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) officially announced a notice of a seven-day strike, indicating the intention of medical practitioners, pharmacists, and dentists to cease their services in all Ministry of Health and county government facilities across the country. This decision came after the Health Cabinet Secretary reiterated the lack of funds to support medical interns.
“During a meeting we had yesterday morning with the Ministry, they said their hands are tied. We hope that this strike will untie their hands,” KMPDU Sec-Gen Dennis Miskellah said.
The medical professionals additionally alleged that both the National and County Governments have neglected to adhere to a mutually agreed upon labor agreement and court directives. They also maintained that the proposed strike would persist until all of their requests were met.
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“Going on strike is not something that we enjoy, because patients will die and it’s unfortunate, let us not get to that point. The failure of placement of interns lies with the Ministry of Health which saw that budget struck off by Treasury,” Miskellah said.
In a brief response, Heath CS Nakumicha swiftly rejected the doctors’ requests as impractical, emphasizing that the Ministry’s ability to address Interns Placement concerns is limited.
“We cannot do anything as a Ministry, it’s up to the Treasury to facilitate…the Government cannot cater for over 3,000 interns at this time, they have to be realistic,” Nakhumicha said. Â
In addition to the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), several other health unions, including the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians, Kenya Union of National Laboratories Officers, and Kenya Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists, have also issued nationwide strike notices to relevant government bodies, demanding full fulfillment of their demands.
Doctors Issue Strike Notice As Medical Interns Placement Dispute Escalates
