The nationwide doctors’ strike is poised to extend into its fourth week Tuesday, with healthcare workers resolute in their stance until their demands are fully addressed.
Central to the dispute is the insistence on implementing equitable posting arrangements for medical interns, alongside the fulfillment of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Led by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), health workers remain steadfast, refusing to resume their duties until the government takes decisive action. This includes rejecting a Ksh.2.4 billion government offer aimed at resolving the impasse.
President William Ruto intervened in the conflict, asserting that the government cannot meet the demands due to fiscal constraints stemming from a substantial wage bill.
A closer examination by Citizen Digital reveals the contentious agreement brokered between the KMPDU and the Ministry of Health (MoH) in 2017.
Effective from July 1, 2017, the agreement sought to regulate relations between the parties, with a focus on enhancing the economic well-being of healthcare personnel and improving service delivery in the public health sector.
A 7-member committee, comprising four MoH representatives and three from KMPDU, was established to oversee the agreement’s implementation. It was stipulated that the committee convene semi-annually or as necessary to monitor progress. Disputes unresolved by the committee were to be escalated to the Ministry of Labour.
The agreement delineated employee rights, including a structured classification for doctors starting at job group ‘M,’ with promotions based on merit and without bias. Transfer and posting protocols were outlined, limiting employer-initiated transfers and providing allowances for relocated staff.
Trainee rights were also addressed, with provisions for sponsorship to postgraduate training and equitable remuneration during internships. Working conditions, including facilities for rest and compensation for public holiday work, were detailed.
Furthermore, the agreement safeguarded the union’s right to express grievances, with dispute resolution mechanisms outlined.
In essence, the agreement aimed to ensure fair treatment, professional development, and conducive working environments for healthcare workers, underpinning the broader goal of enhancing healthcare delivery in Kenya.
