In a bold move to address unresolved issues plaguing Kenya’s healthcare sector, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has unanimously endorsed a nationwide doctors’ strike. The decision was reached during the Special Delegates Conference (SDC) 2024, held on November 30th, with over 600 doctors in attendance.
Key demands fueling the strike include the implementation of the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) signed on May 8, 2024, immediate release of Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) arrears, and the payment of medical interns as stipulated in the CBA.
Unresolved Challenges
The conference convened KMPDU’s highest decision-making body to address critical concerns, including:
- CBA Implementation: The union demands urgent action on the long-overdue agreement signed earlier this year.
- Unpaid Arrears: Doctors continue to work under financially strained conditions, with arrears dating back months.
- Mental Health Crisis: The deteriorating mental well-being of doctors was highlighted as an urgent issue requiring systemic intervention.
The union emphasized that failure by both National and County governments to act has left healthcare professionals with no choice but to resort to industrial action.
Strike Notice
The KMPDU National Advisory Council is set to issue an official strike notice on Monday, December 2, 2024. This notice will serve as a formal declaration to both levels of government, underscoring the union’s resolve to advocate for the rights and welfare of doctors.
Implications for Healthcare
A nationwide doctors’ strike could severely disrupt healthcare services across Kenya, leaving patients vulnerable. However, KMPDU maintains that the industrial action is a last resort, with patient care remaining a priority once their grievances are addressed.
