Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has told health workers that their demand for an increment of risk allowance will not be met at the moment.
He said raising the risk allowance to Sh30,000 as demanded by health practitioners would cost the county at least Sh3 billion annually.
Ojaamong said the county cannot pay almost half of the money it receives from the national government in allowances alone. This, he said, would cripple development in the county.
“In my own calculations, if we decide to give all our nurses, lab technicians, clinical officers and any other hospital workers, including watchmen, a risk allowance of Sh30,000 it will cost us Sh3 billion,” Ojaamong said. He did not give the exact number of workers who may benefit if the increment is effected.
“What I have been paying you is what I am able to pay. If a salary increment will be effected and the national government sends money to counties, it's okay, I will pay you.”
Speaking at the Kocholya Level 4 Hospital in Teso North subcounty, the county chief urged striking health workers to return to work and serve the public.
Besides the risk allowance increment, the striking health workers also want the government to provide adequate PPE, insurance, effect promotions and salary hikes.
The workers said that some of their colleagues have died of Covid-19 due to lack of protective gear and health insurance. They also want the families of all health workers who have died due to Covid-19 to be compensated.
The workers began their strike on Monday last week. They have promised to stay away from work until their demands are met.
But Ojaamong said the workers should have allowed for negotiations to continue before going on strike.
“We will continue engaging you. However, if it reaches a point where we will not agree, we will close hospitals,” he said.
Ojaamong also said the county government is engaging with private and mission hospitals in the county to sign an agreement for them to attend to critically ill patients during the health workers' strike.
Edited by A.N
