Doctors' union issue strike notice in an employment row

NAKURU, KENYA: Doctors' Union has threatened to down tools over failure by the Nakuru county government to absorb 31 doctors seconded to it in April this year. In a strike notice issued to the county and dated June 21, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) want the county to absorb all posted medical officers, pharmacists and dentists. KMPDU South Rift Secretary General Dr Davji Atallah said failure by the county government to absorb 31 doctors has seen practitioners forego annual and study leave. Dr Attalah said the doctors have been in the county without job portfolios after they were seconded in April by the intergovernmental committee. "Despite a doctor shortage in the country it is sad it has not absorbed 31 medical practitioners who were seconded to in April. This has seen doctors overworked and denied leave," Dr Attalah said. The union has further asked the county to effect pending promotion of all health workers as per public Service Commission (PSC) circular dated March 3, 2016. Dr Attalah also said the union is pushing the county to advertise consultants and effect promotion of doctors in job group M to job group N. "We have held meetings with the county in a bid to address the issues but nothing has been forthcoming. However, we hope for amicable solution in less than a week," he added. He noted that the county health officials have failed to resolve the issues in a timely manner forcing the union to resort to industrial action to push for action from county government.