Clinical officers blame Council of Governors over stalled strike talks

The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers says its members will remain on strike until the Council of Governors heeds their demands for increased allowances and enhance health cover through NHIF.

Their media statement came shortly after Labour Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui said the government is close to realising a deal to end the health workers strike.

The clinical workers are demanding among other things improvement of their risk allowances, personal protective equipment and enhanced medical cover.

“Threats, intimidation, the dismissals will not solve the health crisis that we have now,” said  Peterson Wachira Chair KUCO.

Since the start of the year, governors have remained firm in their refusal to sign a return-to-work formula that would be the final missing link to healing the health crisis and send clinical officers back to work. The clinical officers now say doctors have been treated better as they are left in the cold.

“Their refusal to sign a return-t-work-formulae with KUCO yet they signed the same with KMPDU is a clear display of discrimination,” added George Gibore, SG KUCO.

Acting KMPDU Secretary General Chibanzi Mwachonda says Council of Governors have until end of February to approve comprehensive Group Life, a medical insurance through NHIF and address contentious issues where monies for NHIF are deducted but end up not reflecting in the National Insurer.

Labor CS Simon Chelugui, while attending a burial in Radat in Mogotio, Baringo County said the government is keen on ending the crisis asking governors to prioritize the welfare of health personnel.

He disclosed that talks to address the plight of health workers are at an advanced stage.