The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) raised alarm over the rising number of doctors committing suicide in Kenya.
In a statement released on Monday, January 31, the union revealed that the nation had already lost seven doctors in a span of two years.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah attributed the suicides to poor working conditions.
The union stated the lack of leave days as one of the key issues leading to the rise of suicide cases among the medics.
Dr Attellah further blamed poor remuneration as another factor pushing Kenyan doctors to take their own lives.
The union blamed the government for not honouring Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA) detailing basic pay and allowances for doctors.
KMPDU further decried the government's reluctance to employ more doctors citing that it led to overstretching of the system making practicing doctors sink into depression.
The Union had threatened to strike on December 23, 2022, over the poor working conditions.
On January 4, 2023, in a meeting that brought together the Ministry of Health, Council of Governors, and KMPDU officials, the strike was averted after the parties agreed to review the existing CBA.
The medics accused the Ministry of Health citing a lack of goodwill from the government to address challenges affecting them.
The revelation by KMPDU was made a day after the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers vowed to down their tools in what they termed as neglect from the government.
According to the health workers, the slow realization of universal health coverage, discrimination in internship pay, and lack of a national health task force are a major concern.
