The Kenya Union of Clinical Officers, Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers and Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union are set to meet the Clergy on Monday.
Led by Anglican Church Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit and Catholic Bishop Anthony Muheria, the clergy has urged the government to refrain from issuing threats to striking doctors and instead engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve the ongoing strike.
Expressing hope that dialogue could break the impasse between the government and the medical professionals, the religious leaders lamented the dire situation, emphasizing the suffering of the sick and the increasing casualties resulting from the standoff.
“The current situation is lamentable, with many lives lost and others deteriorating due to lack of medical care,” they stated, highlighting the urgent need for the government to expedite efforts to end the healthcare crisis.
Asserting that the provision of healthcare rests in the hands of the medical fraternity, the religious leaders urged both parties to prioritize dialogue and swiftly address the legitimate grievances of the doctors.
The doctors’ strike, which commenced on March 12, has entered its fifth week with no resolution in sight. Over 4,000 medics are advocating for higher salaries as outlined in a 2017 collective bargaining agreement, improved working conditions, and the employment of intern doctors. However, the government contends that budget constraints prevent them from meeting these demands.
The strike has severely disrupted healthcare services nationwide, leaving hospitals and clinics understaffed and patients without essential medical care. The prolonged standoff underscores the urgent need for constructive dialogue and resolution to mitigate further harm to the public health sector.
