Doctors’ strike: Health ministry caves in, calls meeting with KMPDU on Monday

The Ministry of Health has summoned a meeting with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) on Monday next week.

This coming as the nationwide doctors’ strike entered its third day, with the union's Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah maintaining that the go-slow is on.

The strike that has disrupted medical services in a number of counties has seen an increase in the number of referrals to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), forcing a scale down of elective theatre services to allow for emergencies.

In an internal memo signed by Senior Director of Clinical Services Dr. J. Lessan, all KNH heads of departments have been asked to postpone services that can wait until further notice.

According to the management, the hospital has been receiving emergencies especially in the maternity ward hence straining resources meant for other services.

KMPDU has accused the government of deceit saying the Conciliator's report dated March 2024 is based on discussions going back to 2022 that was signed to end the early 2023 strike.

The union boss Dr. Atellah says both the national and county governments owes them Ksh.3 billion, adding that the posting of interns happened last in January 2023, which is against the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which allows interns to be posted 30 days after clearance.