Macharia told Capital FM News on telephone that plans have been made to pay the doctors in good time/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 30 – The government now says that doctors will be paid this week, in a bid to stem a looming work boycott by the medics.
Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia stated that the call for a boycott was premature since the month had not yet ended.
He told Capital FM News on telephone that plans have been made to pay the doctors in good time.
“The State cannot be reckless with salaries of the health workers since it will affect their livelihoods hence their productivity,” he said.
He indicated that health workers’ needs cannot be taken for granted as this could affect the nation negatively.
“If we affect the livelihoods of these health workers, then who will take care of those who are sick? It is something which cannot be over looked,” he emphasised.
On Monday, doctors threatened to boycott work from next week if the government fails to release their July salaries.
Through their umbrella body, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), the medics say they have not been given sufficient reason why their salaries have been delayed.
The medics usually get their pay by the 25th of every month.
Secretary General Sultani Matendechero revealed that the union has since established that the delay is due to efforts to hurriedly transfer processing of the salaries to counties.
While stating their support for devolution, Matendechero further pointed out that transition to the counties should be done in an organized manner.
He said that the union took issue with the fact that they had worked and there was no sign that they will be paid any time soon.
He pointed out that from Monday next week, all doctors will travel to Nairobi to seek answers as to why they were not being paid.
About The Author
