Countywide doctors’ strike to kick off Thursday after talks fail » Capital News

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 12 – The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has announced the countrywide doctors’ strike will kick off on Thursday.

According to the union’s Secretary General Davji Atellah, this is after talks over promotions and interns posting with Ministry of Health officials failed to bear fruit.

“It is sad that despite availing ourselves for meetings at the Ministry of Health, there has been no worthwhile development to report to you and tomorrow midnight, our strike notice shall expire and our Industrial action will begin,” he stated.

This comes after KMPDU issued a 7-day strike notice on March 6, for the withdrawal of doctors’ services in hospitals.

KMPDU, led by Atellah held protests on February 29, over the delay in posting of 1200 medical interns to hospitals.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha had dismissed KMPDU’s demands as being unrealistic, saying the ministry’s hands are tied regarding the posting of medical interns.

“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.  

About The Author