President William Ruto has vowed to resolve intern doctor's stalemate and doctor's salary arrears amid a looming strike through a notice given by Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union (KMPDU).
Responding to concerns from the young generation in X space on Friday, the head of state explained healthcare reforms done by the government to revamp the healthcare sector to fortify Kenya's healthcare system.
Ruto said “I met with their leadership personally and committed to clearing their arrears by year-end,” while noting that the treasury had prioritized healthcare services and allocated sufficient funds to resolve the doctors' concerns.
The head of state pointed out reforms set to strengthen Linda Mama service delivery. On his part, the budget for the new financial year 2024/2025, other than prioritising doctors' concerns, will see a substantial increase in the Linda Mama program as part of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Under UHC, we've boosted coverage to Ksh 11,200 and raised support for caesarian deliveries to Ksh 32,200."
KMPDU had announced plans to occupy the Ministry of Health's premises in Nairobi, effective Monday, July 8, 2024, until all medical interns are posted to health facilities nationwide.
The union referred to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of 2017 before threatening to stage protests to air their grievances to the relevant authorities.
"Based on the RTWF dated May 8th, intern doctors were to collect their posting letter by July 7th, 2024."
"This was promised to us by Health CS Susan Nakhumicha in the presence of the president in the State House. We have therefore decided to occupy the MoH day and night starting on July 8th." read part of the Thursday notice.
In March 2024, the union called off their strike after having an agreement with the government on the return to work formula and how the state could pay their salary arrears and post interns.
In a press briefing hours after the meeting between the government and the doctor's union, Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha urged doctors to attend to the sick who had gone through difficult times during the protest.
"I want to urge all of us for now to focus on service delivery," she said.
"The country has waited anxiously for 54 days to see you back to work and they have a right to demand and expect to be served without further delay."
This came after a long time of negotiation between the government and the doctors. The two factions agreed to find the best way to pay doctors and improve their working conditions.
