Govt says Kenyans can access medical services despite doctors strike

The government says it has taken adequate measures to ensure Kenyans continue accessing medical services as the doctors’ strike continues.

The Ministry of Health said it has engaged over 2,000 faith-based facilities to provide delivery and emergency services under the Linda Mama programme, as well as monitoring of the over 6,000 public dispensaries, health centers and out patient departments in public hospitals.

In a statement sent to newsrooms on Sunday, the ministry said it has made spirited efforts to engage the doctors’ union initially on a return to work formula and also address contentious issues in the 2013 CBA as directed by the court, but accused the union of lack of interest to address the issues.

This comes even as the doctor’s strike enters its 49^th day, with the doctors maintaining that they will not return to work until the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) they signed with the government in 2013 is fully implemented.

The government had offered a 40 per cent pay increment deal, that the doctors declined saying they would accept nothing but the full implementation of the CBA.

The government had, however, termed the CBA illegal, saying it was not registered and could therefore to be implemented.

Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr Cleopa Mailu, on Friday, January 13 said that the government is still willing to negotiate with the doctors and agree on the way forward.

Addressing the press at Afya House, CS Mailu called on the doctors to obey court orders which directed them, through their union – Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), to end the over one month-long strike that has paralysed operations in government health facilities.

“We need to negotiate a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that is legal. I want to emphasize we cannot operate outside the law,” said Mailu.

Now the KPMDU officials are facing a one-month jail term if the strike continues past Thursday.