Doctors Set to Strike at Major Kenya Hospital After Failed Talks.
Doctors at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital plan to strike on Tuesday at midnight. Last-minute talks between staff and management failed to prevent the walkout.
"The management offered unworkable promises," said Dr. Kamunzi Mule, branch secretary of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union. KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah will launch the strike on Wednesday.
Hospital Chief Officer Dr. Phillip Kirwa said negotiations continue. "We are in discussion with the doctors about their concerns," he stated, expressing hope for an agreement.
The union issued its strike notice two weeks ago, listing eight demands. A key issue involves the hospital's failure to pay statutory deductions for over two years. Dr. Atellah cited discrimination and poor working conditions at Kenya's second-largest referral facility.
"Doctors lack medical coverage and promotions. The hospital ignores their needs," Dr. Atellah said after meeting staff. He dismissed the board's claim that budget cuts caused these problems.
Dr. Kirwa pledged support for medical staff. "We cannot serve Kenyans without our doctors. We remain committed to their welfare," he said.
The strike would affect all doctors, including consultants, unless the hospital meets their demands. KMPDU leaders await concrete solutions before considering any changes to their plans.
Doctors at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital plan to strike on Tuesday at midnight. Last-minute talks between staff and management failed to prevent the walkout.
"The management offered unworkable promises," said Dr. Kamunzi Mule, branch secretary of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union. KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah will launch the strike on Wednesday.
Hospital Chief Officer Dr. Phillip Kirwa said negotiations continue. "We are in discussion with the doctors about their concerns," he stated, expressing hope for an agreement.
The union issued its strike notice two weeks ago, listing eight demands. A key issue involves the hospital's failure to pay statutory deductions for over two years. Dr. Atellah cited discrimination and poor working conditions at Kenya's second-largest referral facility.
"Doctors lack medical coverage and promotions. The hospital ignores their needs," Dr. Atellah said after meeting staff. He dismissed the board's claim that budget cuts caused these problems.
Dr. Kirwa pledged support for medical staff. "We cannot serve Kenyans without our doctors. We remain committed to their welfare," he said.
The strike would affect all doctors, including consultants, unless the hospital meets their demands. KMPDU leaders await concrete solutions before considering any changes to their plans.
