Relief to Kenyans as the Kenyan Medical Practitioners Pharmacist and Dentists Union suspends its Industrial action that was slated was slated to commence beginning today.
The Union’s acting Secretary-General Chibanzi Mwachonda said the decision was arrived at after considering a request by the Senate and the National Assembly Health Committee.
In a statement released late yesterday evening, KMPDU said they have suspended the strike for 14 days to allow for dialogue.
“If the issues will remain unresolved upon the lapse of 14 days, then the strike will commence on December 21, 2020,” reads the statement.
Besides, Mwachonda advised his union members not to endanger their lives by working in an environment where there is no Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
He, however, affirmed that KMPDU acknowledges the efforts by the Parliament to meet their grievances and was looking forward to striking a deal during their 9th and 10th December session.
He blamed the deaths on the government saying that if the government had not supplied enough PPEs to medics and also failed to improve their perks and health insurance covers over the past eight months.
“Over the last eight months, KMPDU has continuously engaged all relevant government ministries, parastatals and council of governors, Senate and parliament and followed all relevant channels in employment and labour relations in a bid to address the plight of frontline healthcare workers. The union had put the industrial action option off the table. However, due to the persistent inaction by the government to resolve the issues, the union is thus forced to review its options,” said Chibanzi Mwachonda.
KMPDU has made several demands notably; enhanced risk allowance, dedicated healthcare facilities for healthcare workers across the country and establishment of a constitutional Health Service Commission.
Other demands they have put on the negotiating table are the adequate provision of standard and adequate PPEs in all healthcare facilities comprehensive medical cover for all doctors and workman’s compensation for all doctors and other healthcare workers.
They are also pushing for employment additional 2000 doctors out of employment and review contract terms of doctors to permanent and pensionable.
By Christabel Airo