In Summary
- The Union highlighted a severe shortage of doctors and healthcare workers in hospitals
- Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha addressed the striking doctors
Doctors in Nairobi have today downed their tools over the government’s failure to address their issues.
The strike which commenced today began with a procession at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and later proceeded to the ministry of health offices before concluding at the Council of Governors headquarters.
The Secretary General of Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Davji Bhimji voiced the concerns of the medical practitioners
READ ALSO:Kenya’s 1st Public Hospital Performs successful Cochlear Implant Surgery
He accused county governments of failing to address the dire issues of poor remuneration and inadequate working conditions faced by doctors.
The union also highlighted a severe shortage of doctors and healthcare workers in hospitals across the region.
“There are unprecedented shortages of doctors and healthcare workers amidst unemployment and underemployment crisis in both public and private hospitals, “He said.
Council of Governors Response
The Chair of the Council of Governors’ Health Committee Muthomi Njuki Has however urged doctors not to proceed with the strike and assured them that plans were underway to address their grievances.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha addressed the striking doctors earlier in the day, pledging to consult with key stakeholders before providing a viable solution to their concerns
READ ALSO:Sickle Cell robs Kenya of an Award-Winning Health Journalist.
“I have received the petition…and I want to agree with you that the status of health in this country needs improvement. What you need to do is to allow us to go through these petitions …you know the stakeholders of health in this country is not just the ministry of health…we have very many stakeholders that I have to avail this document to then we come to a table and provide a solution, “The CS said.
The striking doctors have accused county governments of poor remuneration and working conditions of doctors.
They also alleged that there was a shortage of doctors and healthcare workers in hospitals.
