Health crisis looms in Embu as KMPDU threatens to take legal action

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has threatened to take legal action against Embu County officers who have continued flout doctors’ Return to Work Formula (RTWF) by striking out doctors’ names from the county payroll.

KMPDU Embu Branch boss Mark Ndung’u said that the RTWF, signed on 14 March 2017, stated that no form of punishment should be meted out on medics who took part in the three-month strike – a clause that he says Embu County has dishonoured by striking the doctors’ names from the payroll.

“We have now learnt that Embu county has permanently struck off the doctors from the payroll. That there are no doctors names on the payroll means that the county does not need a doctor,” said Ndung’u.

Ndung’u said that since the action was taken by individual officers within the county, the union will now take legal action against these particular officers.

He further stated that, during the strike, the county lost 4 doctors – two which were specialists – thus escalating the shortage of doctors in the county.

The KMPDU boss warned that health services could come to a standstill if swift action is not taken by the county, as doctors cannot work if they will not be paid.

KMPDU Upper Eastern Secretary-General said the union will seek court interpretation of the RTWF signed by the Government and the doctors’ union.