Kenya is on the brink of a healthcare crisis as doctors, under the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), prepare for a nationwide strike starting on December 22. In a bid to prevent a potential loss of patients and ensure a seamless transition, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah has directed doctors to begin discharging patients from December 19. This directive is aimed at hospitals including the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH). The goal is to prepare for the anticipated closure of all private, public, and faith-based hospitals nationwide.
The Impact of the Strike
The looming strike is driven by several critical issues that KMPDU has been vocal about over the past few months. One of the major grievances is the delayed implementation of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed on June 30, 2017, which aimed at improving the working conditions and salaries for medical professionals. Additionally, the union highlights the ongoing issues with unpaid interns and the broader failure to address concerns related to the healthcare system’s sustainability. Atellah has emphasized that the strike is not just a call for better wages but also for respect and accountability from the government.
Preparing for the Strike
To mitigate the impact of the strike on patients, KMPDU has issued explicit instructions for doctors to discharge patients from major hospitals by the 19th of December. Atellah noted, “Doctors should start discharging patients from December 19, so that on the midnight of December 22, we don’t lose patients.” This preparatory measure aims to ensure that patients are discharged with adequate care and attention, given the expected limited access to healthcare services once the strike begins.
The government’s response to KMPDU’s concerns has been criticized as slow and unresponsive. Atellah has pointed out that the government has been dismissive of the union’s calls for dialogue and action, despite numerous court orders and return-to-work formulas agreed upon in recent months. “Court orders remain unheeded, return-to-work formulas are ignored, and CBAs are violated and dismantled,” Atellah said. The government’s failure to implement these agreements has forced KMPDU back to the streets to demand better treatment and respect for medical professionals.
Peaceful Demonstrations Planned
To pressure the government to address these issues, KMPDU has announced that they will hold peaceful demonstrations on Monday, beginning at KNH and continuing to the Nairobi Hospital, the Ministry of Health offices at Afya House, and finally, the Parliament Buildings. This route symbolizes a progression from hospital care to policy influence, highlighting the critical need for legislative action to resolve the ongoing healthcare crisis. The protest will start from KNH, known for its significant role in the country’s health sector, and proceed through major healthcare facilities and government offices, concluding at the heart of Kenya’s legislative process.
Government’s Response and Expectations
The KMPDU’s call for action reflects the frustration among medical professionals who feel that their concerns are being systematically ignored by the government. Atellah’s warning to the government is clear: “Doctors should start discharging patients by Thursday, so that by the midnight of December 22, we don’t lose patients. The government should be able to take responsibility for the patients because we have given enough notice, it is them that is unresponsive.” The strike is a final attempt by KMPDU to hold the government accountable for fulfilling the agreements made with healthcare workers.
The demonstration will be a significant moment for KMPDU, marking a return to public protest after a brief hiatus following the suspension of the May 2024 strike. The union has reiterated its commitment to peaceful demonstrations, stressing that their action is a last resort after numerous attempts to engage the government in constructive dialogue. Atellah’s letter to the Inspector General of Police, copied to key security offices, outlines the demonstration’s route and serves as a formal request for permission to proceed peacefully.
As the country braces for the impending strike, it is clear that both sides need to come to the negotiating table urgently to avert a healthcare crisis. The government must address the demands of KMPDU to ensure that the healthcare system remains operational and that patients do not suffer due to unaddressed grievances. The eyes of the nation are now on the ongoing negotiations and the government’s willingness to take action before the planned strike begins.
