Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has sounded a warning to striking health workers to resume work or face the sack.
Kagwe said the courts had stopped the strike to allow room for negotiations noting that the government has continually engaged health workers’ unions over the issues raised.
Kagwe said as amicable solutions to the issues are sought, the health workers need to go back to work especially as Kenyans indulge in the festivities.
“I can confirm that my Ministry and that of Labour and Social Protection continues to engage with union officials to find an amicable solution to the issues that concern their members. Kenyans can now enjoy their holidays without anxiety and fear of seeking unavailable services in our public facilities as it should be,” he said.
Some of the issues they have raised, he said, are legitimate and that the government has put in place measures to ensure they are resolved.
He cited the issue of Personal Protective Equipment that health workers demanded saying they have been provided to all private and public health care facilities.
“And that is why we are asking all striking health workers to go back to their work stations all the country and avoid being a statistic of the people who will be looking for jobs come January,” Kagwe said.
Kagwe said this while launching Santamore Surgical Hospital at Kenol in Murang’a County on Friday that has been established by a group of five doctors.
The hospital will offer orthopedic, spine, general, laparoscopic, obstetric and gynecology, Ear, Nose and Throat surgeries.
Kagwe said the facility located at the gateway of the Mt. Kenya region will cater to the high number of victims of road accidents that occur along the roads in the region.
