Narok, Embu medics threaten to go on strike over poor working conditions

Residents of Narok and Embu counties are staring at bleak times if health workers make good their threats of downing their tools.

In Embu, all the 2,400 health workers said they will go on strike starting Wednesday over delayed salaries and non-payment of Covid-19 allowances.

Meanwhile, doctors demanding better working conditions have issued a 14-day strike notice to the Narok county government.

The workers in Embu have vowed to paralyse health services at the Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital and other health facilities in the county to force Governor Martin Wambora's administration address their grievances.

According to union officials, health workers are facing serious financial challenges.

Speaking on Monday night at Kawanjara market, the officials wondered how the devolved government expected nurses, doctors, clinical officers and other employees to continue delivering services without pay.

"The devolved government should expect the worst in the entire health sector," Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary, Mr Joseph Ngwasi said.

Medical cover

The officials said the workers were also unhappy because deductions from their salaries amounting to Sh400million had not been remitted to National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and various banking institutions.

"When our money for loans and medical covers is deducted it is not remitted. This is unacceptable," the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers Secretary, Mr James Njeru said.

The officials said they had issued a strike notice, which has expired, and the workers are now ready to boycott work to demand their rightful dues.

Embu County Health Executive, Patrick Waganagwa, could not be reached for comment as calls by Daily Nation went unanswered.

Meanwhile, in Narok, the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU), Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), Kenya Health professional’s society (KHPS), on Tuesday asked the County Government to enhance their safety and welfare as they work to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the Narok County Referral Hospital, the union said doctors working in Narok have not been provided with comprehensive medical insurance cover.

They also accused the government of failing to cater for their welfare by not implementing promotions, re-designation, indemnity cover and employment of more workers.

Staff shortage

KMPDU South Rift branch Secretary-General Davji Atellah said the health workers had been neglected for so long, with the county doing little to help them especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Atellah, who was accompanied by Mr Aron Kibet (KUCO branch secretary), Misonga Elkana (KNUN branch secretary) and Henry Twala (KHPS branch secretary), accused Narok county government of occasioning a staff shortage by failing to employ enough medics.

“The county government has further failed to offer car loans and mortgages and provide NHIF comprehensive cover and provide high-quality PPEs amidst the pandemic,” he added.

“These doctors’ employment terms do not include medical cover and they feel badly exposed, especially with the pandemic. In case they fall sick, they will have to pay from their own pockets, which is very dangerous,” he said.

County Health Executive Morgan Siloma did not pick our calls or reply to messages.

The county Communication Director Paul Tobiko also promised to comment on the issue later.