Doctors' strike: KMA threatens to withdraw services in private hospitals

The Kenya Medical Association (KMA) now says it will mobilise its members to withdraw services in the private sector if doctors’ demands are not met. 

KMA says the government is being dishonest in alleging that the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in 2017 with the doctors' union was executed under duress. 

"Constitutional provisions of health care do not classify citizens as poor, middle class or those political ones who are making these decisions. Because the political class is not being affected and they have covers, in the next 7 days we will mobilize the private sector where they go, to support this course by withdrawing their services," said KMA President Dr. Simon Kigondu.

The doctors’ association further wants the government to act with speed to remedy the deep-lying issues that contributed to the strike, terming the strike as just the symptoms of a sector in crisis.

"It will not be the first time we have done that, that is how we solved the 2017 strike where doctors were jailed for fighting for their rights," Dr. Kagondu added.

"We have called the doctors here to join the government in demonstrations and strikes and from Tuesday, services in the private sector; we will ask our doctors to withdraw until the demands that are affecting the health sector are addressed."

KMA’s remarks come as the doctors’ strike entered its 29th day on Thursday.