The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Nairobi Branch has issued a strike notice, citing the failure of the Nairobi County government to meet crucial demands affecting doctors’ welfare. The notice was issued on Wednesday by the branch chairman, Deogracious Maelo, who lamented that the county’s actions have significantly hindered the ability of doctors to provide quality healthcare to patients.
According to KMPDU, the strike is driven by illegal salary stoppages, chronic salary delays, stalled promotions, unpaid gratuities, delayed confirmation letters, and unjust dismissals. The union argues that these issues have led to severe financial strain on medical professionals, ultimately affecting service delivery in public hospitals within Nairobi County.
Maelo criticized the county administration for what he termed as a “deliberate incapacitation” of doctors’ services, accusing the government of failing to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the grievances. He emphasized that the failure to address these concerns has left doctors with no option but to down their tools in protest.
The potential strike comes at a particularly critical time for the health sector in Kenya, as doctors in rural and private hospitals have also announced their decision to suspend services offered under the Social Health Authority (SHA). This double blow could significantly impact patients who rely on both public and private healthcare facilities for medical services.
If the Nairobi doctors proceed with their strike, the county’s health sector could plunge into a crisis, with thousands of patients left stranded. Public hospitals, which already face challenges such as understaffing and inadequate medical supplies, would be further strained as remaining healthcare workers struggle to manage patient loads.
KMPDU has urged the county government to urgently resolve the crisis by meeting the doctors’ demands. The union has reiterated that health workers cannot continue working under poor conditions without fair compensation and job security.
The Nairobi County government has yet to issue an official response to the strike notice. However, stakeholders, including civil society groups and patient rights organizations, are calling for swift intervention to prevent a full-blown healthcare crisis.
As the deadline for the strike approaches, Nairobi residents remain anxious about the future of healthcare services. Without immediate action, the city could witness a healthcare paralysis, further complicating the already fragile medical landscape in Kenya.
