Doctors’ nationwide strike still on - Union

By Kennedy Murithi

Medical practitioners from western province have vowed to on Sunday, paralyse all hospital operations including emergency services.

The doctors drawn from Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma and vihiga counties said they will join fellow practitioners from the country in their planned nationwide strike.

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPPDU) Kakamega branch chairman Mark Makomere said all Government hospitals offering services to the public will be completely out of work until their demands are addressed.

He further said the Union’s Kakamega branch would not default in their participation of the planned strike noting that it is the only action that the Government would yield to.

"The government only understands industrial action and that is what they will get until they address our plight," said Dr Makomere.

Flanked by other union officials at a meeting at Kakamega Provincial General Hospital, Makomere further faulted the Government for taking a long time to address their grievances despite their early issuance of a strike notice.

He however sympathised with patients noting that they should look for alternatives in private hospitals, which are more expensive during the period they will be on strike.

The union’s secretary, David Andambi cautioned the practitioners against propaganda being peddled by some government forces over the legitimacy of the strike.

"There are some government forces trying to downplay our strike by spreading propaganda that this strike is not legitimate. Those are rumours and we will go on with the strike as planned," said Dr. Andambi.

The unionisable practitioners vowed to continue with the strike until they receive an official communiqué from the National Executive Council on the progress of the ongoing talks between them and the Government.

The strike will involve medical interns, medical officers, registrars and medical specialists registered by the union.

Dr. Makomere however called on the government to speedily resolve the impending matters to avert the strike.

The doctors’ strike will also be followed by a countrywide strike by nurses that is to follow on Wednesday December 7, according to the officials.

The practitioners are demanding a 300 percent increase in their salaries and allowances.