Healthcare Crisis Looms: Medics Issue 14-Day Strike Notice Over Unpaid Salaries and Lack of Medical Cover

In a stark warning to county governments across Kenya, seven health unions have announced a 14-day ultimatum, threatening industrial action if their pressing grievances are not addressed. This dire situation, outlined in a joint statement, highlights the deteriorating conditions faced by healthcare workers due to delayed salaries, inadequate medical coverage, and failure to remit statutory deductions.

Leading the charge, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), alongside six other unions, has painted a bleak picture of the current state of Kenya’s healthcare sector. The unions, which include the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives (KNUNM), Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers (KNUMLO), Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU), Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists and Officers (KNUPT), and Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians (KUNAD), have united to address what they describe as systemic failures in the management of healthcare workers’ welfare.

According to the unions, healthcare workers in numerous counties are grappling with severe financial strain due to unpaid or delayed salaries, some stretching up to three months. This financial uncertainty has significantly impacted their ability to perform their duties effectively. Additionally, the lack of comprehensive medical cover has left many healthcare professionals vulnerable, undermining their capacity to receive the necessary care themselves. This situation is compounded by the county governments’ failure to remit statutory deductions, which are critical for both personal and professional financial security.

In a powerful statement delivered by KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah, the unions expressed their frustration and urgency. “We can no longer tolerate these injustices. We, therefore, demand and stand in solidarity to issue this urgent statement addressing the critical challenges facing our members nationwide,” Atellah declared. This declaration underscores the unions’ resolve to forcefully advocate for their members’ rights and ensure that their concerns are adequately addressed.

The unions have called upon both the national and county governments to act swiftly. They have demanded that all counties procure proper medical coverage for healthcare workers within the next 14 days, as stipulated by Section 34(1) of the Employment Act. Failure to comply with this demand will prompt the unions to escalate their actions, potentially leading to strikes that could severely disrupt Kenya’s healthcare services.

In response to these mounting concerns, the government has taken steps to address the salary arrears issue. Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, has confirmed that the government will clear a total of KSh 3.5 billion in arrears owed to doctors over the past five years. This commitment follows negotiations and reflects a partial but significant acknowledgment of the challenges faced by medical personnel.

President William Ruto has directed both the Treasury and the Ministry of Health to expedite the settlement of these arrears, with a clear timeline for resolution within two years. This move is seen as a crucial step towards stabilizing the healthcare sector and restoring trust among healthcare workers.

The situation remains critical, with the unions emphasizing that the future of Kenya’s healthcare system depends on immediate and decisive action from both national and county governments. The call for urgent reform and proper remuneration is a plea to safeguard not only the welfare of healthcare workers but also the overall health system that serves millions of Kenyans.

As the deadline approaches, the pressure mounts on government officials to address these pressing issues and prevent a potential crisis that could have far-reaching implications for the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether Kenya can avert a healthcare disaster and restore stability to its ailing healthcare sector.