- Atella said the union is trying to find a solution within the next 52 days.
- He said the medical interns will continue to provide exceptional care the community relies on without being exploited.
Image: DAVJI ATELLAH
The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union on Wednesday met with intern doctors days after calling off demonstrations.
KMPDU said the meeting was called to update them on the progress of discussions with relevant institutions.
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah said they assured the medical interns of their commitment to resolving the issues and their posting in line with the existing CBA 2017.
"We recognise the indispensable role they play in our healthcare system; without them, the public service is missing over 35 per cent of our medical workforce," Atellah said.
"These interns are the future of our healthcare, bringing fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and boundless passion."
Atellah said the union is trying to find a solution within the next 52 days.
He said the medical interns will continue to provide exceptional care the community relies on without being exploited.
On May 8, doctors called off the nationwide strike after signing a return-to-work formula agreement.
The Union and the government both signed the agreement ending the 56-day medics nationwide strike.
Atellah said they wanted the doctors' intern posted immediately per the CBA, yet the government wanted them to wait for the court litigation before the agreement.
The SG said that the doctor interns will have to wait for 60 days for posting.
"All the doctor interns: Medical officer interns, Pharmacists interns and Dentists interns will have to wait a little bit longer, we have agreed on 60 days that they will not be posted but we will be having conversations on this issue," he said.
He assured doctors that the union will always endeavour to protect workers' rights enshrined in the CBA.
On May 11, Ruto held talks with the officials from KMPDU a few days after the union reached a deal with the government to end the strike that had prolonged paralyzing activities in health facilities.
A statement issued to newsrooms by press secretary Emmanuel Talam revealed that discussions revolved around addressing critical issues of human resources for health, a cornerstone in the realisation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The delivery of UHC stands as a paramount objective for the Kenya Kwanza government, underlining its commitment to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for all citizens.
During the meeting, Talam said the president expressed his unwavering dedication to finding long-term solutions to the perennial human resource challenges within the healthcare sector.
"The government will work with all stakeholders including unions to foster industrial harmony," he said.
On their part, KMPDU committed to championing and supporting the UHC agenda and more so the rolling out of the social health insurance to all Kenyans.