Health workers in Kisii County are threatening to withhold services from health facilities until the Kisii county government fulfills their demands.
Speaking at the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisii town, Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Nyanza Branch Chairman Dr. Onyango Ndonga said they have been left with no choice, but to declare a strike following broken promises and disregard of the health workers’ rights by the county government of Kisii.
“Doctors tirelessly work in overcrowded hospitals, under immense pressure, and sacrifice their well-being to save lives, often receiving empty promises, delayed salaries, and lack of essential supplies.,” said Dr. Ndonga.
The Chairman noted that the County had failed to implement the Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) that had outlined fair compensation, improved working conditions and the necessary resources to provide quality healthcare to the people.
He added that healthcare workers must not be intimidated or threatened and urged the county to embrace transparency in the allocation of the budget for the health sector. Further, Dr. Ndonga said they will issue an indefinite strike if their grievances are not addressed by the county within 14 days.
He also condemned the recent attack on KMPDU National Secretary General, Dr. Davji Atellah saying that the assault on the union leader was an affront to democracy and human rights.
However, Ronald Nyakweba, the County Executive for Medical Services, Public Health and Sanitation, confirmed that all 161 health facilities in the county are currently operational.
“I want to confirm that our health workers have remained calm and are continuing to discharge their duties despite the strike notice issued by the union officials,” said Nyakweba.
The County Executive noted the county has been holding consultative forums with the union leaders and they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with three unions detailing the road map on addressing issues raised by the health workers.
Hence, Nyakweba urged the health workers to remain calm even as the county leadership looks for solutions to their grievances.