Meru medics’ strike enters day two

The health workers strike in Meru County has entered the second day as the medics accused the county government of ignoring their grievances despite them issuing a strike notice two weeks ago.

The health workers want the County Government of Meru to address salary delays, lack of promotions, lack of hardship and transfer allowances, poor working conditions, lack of annual pay increments and punitive transfers.

Patients at the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital have been left unattended to for the second day with many being forced to seek treatment in private health facilities.

Imenti North MP Rahim Dawood, who was addressing the health workers who were demonstrating at the referral hospital, blamed the county leadership for the health crisis.

Meanwhile, health workers in Embu County have issued a seven day strike notice over demands for a pay rise and promotions among other grievances.

Embu County Health Workers chairs Alloys Njoka says they also have issues with their statutory deductions like the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), which he claims the county government does not remit to the relevant authorities.

Njoka further accused the County Government of Embu of failing to promote health workers in the county.