The panel appointed to mediate between doctors and the government has now threatened to report the two sides to the court after they maintained their hardline positions.
It has become apparent that country’s striking doctors are now demanding for an improved government offer after scaling down their demands twice in just one week.
When meeting the mediation team led by Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) on Friday, the doctors were riding their hopes on an improved offer. But they realised that the government had maintained the hardline position.
The mediation team led by KNCHR Chairperson Kagwiria Mbogori and Law Society of Kenya (LSK) representative, John Ohaga threatened to report the two parties to the Court of Appeal.
The Panel adjourned the talks to Tuesday next week during which it expects the government, Council of Governors and the doctors could have struck a consensus.
“In view of the above, the Mediation Panel has adjourned the process until next week and has informed the respective Parties that if there is no change in their positions by close of business Tuesday 28, 2017, the mediators will make an appropriate report to the Court of Appeal,” a statement from the Mediation Panel reads in part.
The impasse in the country’s public health system seemed to escalate further on Thursday after the Court of Appeal granted a week-long extension of mediations.
Judges Hannah Okwengu, Fatuma Sichale and Sankale Ole Kantai gave the green light for further negotiations to end the strike now in its 12th week. The judges appealed to the doctors to be mindful of the suffering experienced by patients in public hospitals.
Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu reiterated the same on Friday expressing disappointment by the striking doctors for failing to provide Kenyans with even the most basic of medical services.
“It is regrettable that the doctors have chosen not to provide these services. The doctors are only seeking better pay for themselves which is right but they should still offer services,” he said.
The CS said it was unfortunate that the doctors had refused to heed the ‘calling’ to provide emergency services in the country’s public health institutions.
