Medical Doctors in Kakamega have resumed work after signing a return-to-work formula with the county government, ending their strike that began in April paralyzing health services.
The County Executive Committee Member for Health, Livingstone Imbayi, said the county government is addressing the challenges that led to the strike like health insurance and promotions.
He noted that the county government is set to issue promotions to 63 medical consultant doctors and those from other cadres in the next few months.
Speaking to the media at the County Headquarters, Imbayi noted that the county government is also considering converting medical doctors who have been on locum into Permanent and Pensionable (PnP) Terms of employment.
“On medical cover, the county government of Kakamega has been able to pay in advance, so all our doctors are now covered, if they go to the hospital, they will be able to access medical services unrestricted,” he noted.
The CECM assured the medics that those who have participated in the industrial action will not be victimized by anyone.
“A strike is a constitutional right, and because it is a constitutional right, we don’t have any intentions whatsoever to victimize our doctors,” he noted.
The Deputy Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), Dr. Dennis Idan Miskellah, promised that doctors will not down tools again in Kakamega as long as the county government honors the return-to-work formula.
“We don’t strike for fun; the strike is the last thing we want, and I hope we won’t have to strike again in this county as long as they hold their end of the bargain,” he added.
By Moses Wekesa
