This follows the paralysis of operations in some hospitals like Pumwani, Mbagathi and Mama Lucy following a protest by doctors who were demanding their pay for the last six months and delayed promotions/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 16 – Striking county hospital doctors in Nairobi have vowed not to go back to work until they are paid their salaries for the last six months in full.
This follows a warning by the Nairobi County Government that the striking medics should to resume their duties with immediate effect or face disciplinary action.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Ouma Oluga told Capital FM News that they will not heed the directive until their grievances are heard.
“The Nairobi County Government is a big joke. How can we as doctors even perform our duties well if we have not been paid and for the last six months? Yes, we have been in talks and we will not go back to work until our grievances are met,” he said.
Oluga stated that City Hall has not also honoured its agreement with doctors in 2015 to give them promotions.
“We had entered into an agreement with the County Government in October 2015 that we as doctors should be promoted. Until today, nothing has happened,” he stated.
He further pointed out that the County Government has not been remitting NHIF, NSSF, Pension and SACCO deductions leading to harsh living conditions for the doctors.
“As doctors, when we fall sick, we cannot access the medical attention we need even though we ourselves are doctors since the County does not remit our deductions to NSSF, NHIF, Pension and SACCO,” he said.
County Executive in Charge of Health Bernard Muia had on Thursday indicated that he County Government will among other things replace any absent doctor should they fail to report to work.
This follows the paralysis of operations in some hospitals like Pumwani, Mbagathi and Mama Lucy following a protest by doctors who were demanding their pay for the last six months and delayed promotions.
Speaking during a press briefing however, Muia said that a meeting between the county government and the KMPDU had resolved some of the issues raised.
Muia had further indicated that the county government will among other things replace any absent doctor should they fail to report to work.
According to the doctors, the county failed to implement a Memorandum of Understanding signed in October last year following a county wide strike.
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