MTRH doctors demand medical cover, pay arrears in fresh welfare push

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. [File,Standard]

Doctors at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) are seeking comprehensive medical cover, payment of salary arrears and the conversion of contract doctors to permanent and pensionable terms.

They plan to meet on Wednesday, July 23, at St. Luke's Hospital, Eldoret, to press the hospital and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to fully implement the Return To Work Formula (RTWF) and settle outstanding collective bargaining agreement (CBA) arrears.

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah said doctors at the hospital had raised concerns over the lack of medical insurance and delays in basic salary arrears.

"Offering services you cannot receive when in need and even more so for your loved ones is a paradox," Atellah noted.

The union plans to involve human resource consultants in the Wednesday meeting to address CBA arrears and RTWF implementation as part of efforts to resolve welfare concerns.

Atellah said doctors had expressed desperation and disillusionment over the stalled issues, adding that collective action would be necessary if their demands remained unmet.

"Justice, fairness and dignity demand our collective action in boardrooms on the streets and in the media," he explained.

The union said it would continue to push for comprehensive medical insurance, payment of pending arrears and the absorption of contract doctors into permanent and pensionable terms.