Governor Wanga, KMPDU agree on deal to promote doctors, pay salary dues

Governor Gladys Wanga shakes hands with KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atella after a consultative meeting on the welfare of doctors within the county. [Courtesy, KMPDU]

Homa Bay County and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union has agreed on a deal that will doctors promoted.

This comes after a meeting between KMPDU officials, Governor Gladys Wanga and other health stakeholders.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Atella told The Standard that they had also signed a deal that will all the doctors redesignated and confirmed gradually to their rightful job groups.

This, Atella said will see full absorption of their members by October 2024.

“We have also agreed that all doctors due for confirmation will be immediately confirmed and that the non-practice allowance of all doctors whose such allowances had been withheld will be immediately reinstated and all arrears paid immediately,” said Atella.

The Secretary General said they further agreed that all outstanding salary by-products, loans and KMPDU union dues in arrears will be settled immediately followed by employment of more doctors.

“We had a profound and insightful conversation with Governor Wanga and Chief of Health Dr Kevin Dan Osuri. Our discussion delved deep into the intricate health landscape of Homabay County, examining critical aspects impacting the well-being of its residents,” said Atella.

He said KMPDU as a union takes pride in their role as advocates for workers' rights and interests and the conversation with Wanga reinforces their commitment to holding duty bearers accountable, ensuring that the concerns of the workforce are addressed and industrial harmony prevails.

In 2023 Health services in Homa Bay were paralised in public facilities after nurses, clinical officers and doctors downed their tools over delayed salaries, failure by the county to remit statutory deductions, lack of promotion from one job group to another and understaffing.