Newly appointed Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has been welcomed to the troubled Health Ministry with a strike notice by the Universal Health Care (UHC) workers.
In a congratulatory message by the workers on Wednesday, the CS was welcomed to the sector but reminded him that his appointment would not thwart their initial plan to march to the Parliament buildings to demand their unpaid five-year gratuity.
The 8571 UHC workers have threatened to hold a nationwide strike on Tuesday, April 1.
"Congratulations, Aden Duale. On Tuesday, the 8571 UHC will be in Nairobi just to pick up our Confirmation letters. We will also be happy to receive Our Gratuity for 5 years," the UHC workers said in a tweet.
In the strike notice signed by the Health Sector Caucus Chairperson Peterson Wachira, the workers revealed that the procession set for Tuesday will be peaceful. They revealed that they would march to the Ministry of Health Offices, Public Service Commission Offices, and the parliament.
"The Health Sector Caucus wishes to notify your office that they will be having a peaceful procession by UHC staff across all cadres to the Ministry of Health Offices, PSC, and Parliament on Tuesday, April 1," the notice read.
The workers are demanding for absorption into permanent and pensionable (PnP) terms, payments of gratuities, and remittance of statutory deductions.
Duale is taking over the Ministry of Health from Deborah Barasa, who has been moved to the Environment Ministry, at a time when the health sector is faced with a myriad of challenges.
Kenya's health sector is facing significant obstacles that threaten its ability to provide equitable care to its citizens. Among the primary challenges is inadequate funding, which hampers the availability of essential medical supplies, equipment, and infrastructure improvements.
The sector is also faced with numerous strikes from medical workers who are demanding for the government to measure up to their promises and the troubled Social Health Authority (SHA).
There is also the issue of withdrawn US foreign aid funds that were used to cater to HIV/AIDs patients who have been left in limbo, wondering about the future despite numerous assurances from the government.
In his acceptance speech, Duale promised to streamline the sector as he focuses of fulfuling President Ruto's UHC agenda.
"In my new role, I remain committed to working with relevant stakeholders in driving government policies that strengthen healthcare delivery, ensuring accessible and quality services for all Kenyans. A key priority will be advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to guarantee equitable healthcare access, especially for vulnerable populations," Duale promised.
