Kiambu county healthcare workers set to demonstrate

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has called upon its members in Kiambu County to hold a peaceful demonstration Friday, February 10.

County Branch Secretary William Muriuki, in a letter to the Kiambu security officers, said the healthcare workers will have a peaceful demonstration from Kiambu Level V Hospital to the county assembly and later go to the governor's office.

Doctors are mainly protesting the change of their insurance cover from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to a private medical cover.

"The aim of the march is to register our discontent and present a memoranda detailing issues that the county government needs to act on immediately to avoid further action," reads the letter in part.

Healthcare workers needs

Weighing in on the matter, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atella says the needs of healthcare workers ought to be met.

"We risk our lives every day to save others, but it seems like our own well-being is not a priority for this county government. We deserve insurance coverage that protects us and our families in case of any unforeseen events," Davji said.

"It's time for our voices to be heard. Let us show that we will not be silenced, and our demands for fair insurance coverage must be met."

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The protest comes days after Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi accused some medics in the county of stealing medicine.

Wamatangi warned medics with such behaviours that the full force of the law would catch up on them.