Dialogue with doctors to end strike - Women rep urges State

As the doctors’ strike enters the 4th week Kakamega Women representative Elsie Muhanda has come to the defense of the medics urging the government to have a dialogue with them.

Muhanda said it is not appropriate to give doctors ultimatums and issue threats about firing them if they don’t go to work.

“These doctors are in high demand and we can easily lose them to the private sector yet we need them in our public facilities. That’s why I’m asking the government to have dialogue with them to evade the stalemate,” she said.

Muhanda spoke during the commemoration of the International Street Children’s Day at the Kakamega-approved school on Friday.

She further stated that the stalemate between the government and the doctors would harm the public.

“As you are aware when Buffalos engage in a fight it’s the grass that suffers. Right now it is that common Mwananchi who has little resources that is suffering; the patients who attend diabetic clinics, HIV and AIDS clinics among many others cannot access such services because of the stalemate which is not good,” Muhanda stated.

Doctors have vowed not to go back to work until the 2017 collective bargaining agreement is implemented.

The Western Chapter Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Dr Sande Charo said the government has refused to implement the 2017 CBA and that doctors cannot continue waiting in vain.

“As health workers, we do not have any option but to join the government in its strike against us. We are only ready to go back to work and serve our fellow Kenyans. It's not of benefit to us to see our people suffering but we are asking the government to give room for dialogue to get a lasting solution,” said Dr. Charo.

The doctors are demanding that the delayed CBA of 2017 must be implemented and talks for a new one to start before they resume work.

They also demand payment for the medical interns among other issues affecting them.