Some Kwale health workers downed
their tools on Tuesday and took to the streets demanding health service allowances of Sh20,000 and 15,000.
They said lab technologists, dentists,
nutritionists, biological engineers, counsellors, as well as staff in pharmaceutical, physiotherapy and
health records departments are discriminated against in terms of allowances.
The government last year agreed to pay nursing
allowances of Sh20,000 for group G-L and Sh15,000 for group M, which was
effected from last month.
Carrying placards and branches, the health workers
matched from the Kwale
Baraza Park to Governor Salim Mvurya's office.
“Even after a document authorising the allowances for the
last three weeks, the county has not given us our money," clinical officer Saidi Ndaro said.
He said the health professionals should be paid
the allowances without falure.
“We will not go to work until we are given our
allowances because nurses and doctors cannot manage hospitals alone,” he
said.
Ndaro criticised the jailing of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union officials.
He said, “This means we will also be jailed for demanding our rights.”
Clinical officer Mambo Zani said it is unfair
to discriminate against them by refusing to pay their allowances.
The health workers were addressed by Athman
Chiguzo on behalf of Governor
Salim Mvurya after a meeting with county officials.
He said their grievances are being addressed.
