Clerics in Tharaka Nithi yesterday offered to mediate between the county and medical workers to permanently solve problems that lead to frequent strikes.
Nurses went on strike on Februrary 8, accusing the county of failing to remit risk, housing and other allowances, as agreed last year.
The Tharaka Nithi County Interfaith Network said religious leaders are dismayed by repeated disruption in healthcare services.
“This has caused unimaginable pain and suffering for our people,” chairman Dionision Murungi said.
“Residents heavily rely on services offered by public hospitals, clinics and dispensaries.”
He was speaking to the press in Ndagani, Chuka-Igambang’ombe constituency.
Murungi said the county should be more proactive in dealing with healthcare problems, despite resource constraints.
He also urged nurses to resume services, as solutions to their grievances are sought.
“We call on healthcare personnel to adhere to their call of service to the ill and suffering,” Murungi said.
He urged the Kenya National Union of Nurses and the county to hold talks.
“They should immediately engage in open and sincere dialogue, with a view to ironing out any pending issues,” Murungi said.
The chairman said religious leaders are ready to advise the government and the nurses’ union.
This will help them reach consensus for the common good of residents, he said.
