Dialogue with doctors to end strike, CoG told

Siaya County First Lady Rozela Rasanga has asked the Council of Governors (CoG) to keep the dialogue window between them and doctors open so that they can agree on the return to work formula.

Addressing the press at the Siaya County Referral Hospital on Wednesday, Rozela appealed to the government and health practitioners unions to come to an agreement as quickly as possible to end the ongoing strike, which she says has affected the ordinary wananchi who depend on public health facilities.

She was accompanied by the medical superintendent in charge of the Siaya County Referral Hospital, Dr Geofrey Mwai, who assured the public that the facility is operational and urged them to visit the hospital for medical assistance.Dr Mwai said that they are attending to emergency cases in the facility but observed the need for ending the strike that entered its 40

Dr Mwai said that they are attending to emergency cases in the facility but observed the need for ending the strike that entered its 40^th day on Thursday saying that the hospital has been highly affected by the strike.

He noted that they have been forced to refer ten patients per day to private hospitals for further treatment.

On Monday CoG Chairman Peter Munya and Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu threatened to fire doctors who will not have reported to work by Wednesday.

The doctors went on strike to push for the full implementation of the collective bargaining agreement signed between its union and the government.

However, speaking on Sunday in Mombasa, State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu said the CBA was null and void, as it did not have the input of the salaries and remuneration commission. He further stated that the 40 per cent pay hike offered by the government was still on the table.