Doctors through the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentist Union (KMPDU) have given the national government a one-month ultimatum to restore their comprehensive health cover failure to which, they will down their tools.
Speaking on Tuesday, the KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah raised questions as to what rationale was applied in coming up with the new regulations in regards to doctors’ medical covers.
The doctors were lamenting their previous comprehensive cover being scrapped under the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF)
The Social Health Insurance Fund is set to replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and introduce a 2.75 percent deduction for the medical practitioners.
The doctors have stated that the cover given to them under the new regulations only covers a baseline, a factor they say compels the health practitioners to go back to their pockets to access better healthcare.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the blatant disregard to the welfare of healthcare professionals who despite the unwavering commitment to the healthcare and wellbeing of Kenyans find themselves subjected to deplorable working conditions.” Devji stated.
He further reminded the government that the cover they were asking for was their right and not a favour from the government.
“The aspect of comprehensive cover is not a favour we are asking from the government because we actually relinquished our medical allowance.
The doctors further called on county governments to implement agreed upon Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) fully or face a nationwide strike.
“As KMPDU we categorically declare that we will not accept these injustices to persist any longer. The union stands united and committed to ensure that the rights and dignity of its members are kept.” Devji added.
On Monday, Atellah had also fired a warning to the Nairobi County Government amid questions over the recruitment criteria applied by Governor Johnson Sakaja's administration.
In a statement, the Secretary General appealed to Governor Sakaja to resolve the matter promptly failure to which, the union would call for a county-wide strike.
Atellah further revealed that the matter was in court, exuding confidence that a positive outcome there will end the mess in Nairobi and other counties completely.
