Nakuru doctors suspend strike

KMPDU Nakuru branch secretary Dr Davji Atrellah.

Photo credit: Joseph Openda | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • In the MOU, the county government committed itself to consider doctors due for promotion as well as provide medical cover for all doctors on the payroll.
  • The county government further promised to employ more doctors within a five years’ time frame to meet the current clients demand and give five doctors car loans and mortgages.

The Nakuru doctors’ strike that was scheduled to begin on Monday has been suspended until further notice.

This is after the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the county government to suspend the strike, whose notice was issued on August 11.

KMPDU Nakuru county secretary Davji Atellah said the union has agreed not to proceed with the planned industrial action to allow room for the implementations of the agreement.

Dr Atellah while addressing the media said the county government has agreed to meet most of its demands and was still willing to negotiate on the remaining few issues.

“The 21 days’ strike notice was expiring today but after a lengthy consultations and deliberations with the county government we have reached a consensus not to proceed with the strike so as to give the county time to implement on the issues that we have agreed on,” said Dr Atellah

In the MOU, the county government committed itself to consider doctors due for promotion as well as provide medical cover for all doctors on the payroll.

The county government further promised to employ more doctors within a five years’ time frame to meet the current clients demand and give five doctors car loans and mortgages.

Both sides collectively agreed that retirement schemes be discussed at a meeting scheduled for September 16, while payment of indemnity covers for doctors employed by the county be done within financial year 2020/21.

Nakuru county health executive member for health Dr Gichuki Kariuki said the county has taken steps to ensure that health services in all county hospitals continue uninterrupted.

Mr Kariuki said the county is keen on improving its relationship with its health workers and has been working in advance to ensure it irons out all the pending issues that strain their working relations.

“The county government of Nakuru is a responsible employer and understands the importance of the health workers especially during this period of Covid -19. We had already started putting strategies that will ensure the welfare of our medical practitioners are taken care of,” said Dr Kariuki.

He promised to abide by the MOU and called upon residents to continue receiving the services in the county hospitals which are continuing as usual.