The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) has threatened to mobilize healthcare workers to stop services in private hospitals within a week, joining the ongoing nationwide doctors strike, now in its 29th day. This move aims to pressure the Kenyan Government into honoring the 2017 CBA agreement.
KMA President Dr. Simon Kigondu said, “In the next seven days, we will mobilize the private sector to support our course, by withdrawing their services. It will not be the first time doing that, as it is how we solved the 2017 strike.”
KPMDU Criticizes KUTRRH for Hiring Foreign Docrors
The Kenya Medical Practioners and Dentists Union (KPMDU) also criticized the Kenyatta University Teaching Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH) for hiring five foreign medics to replace the striking doctors. The Union pointed out that the foreign medics’ salaries are more than what the Kenyan doctors are demanding.
“When they brought the Cuban doctors, they were paying each Cuban almost a million shillings, with a driver, a house, food, and security. Right now the foreign doctors who were hired are paid Sh540,000, with return air tickets for their families. And they are given housing, food, accommodation. Yet the only thing doctors at KUTRRH are asking for is they be paid a half of that and to be put on right terms.”
KMPDU Deputy Secretary General Dr. Dennis Miskella retorted.
By Vivian K.