KMPDU bids for hiring of members

Up to 2,500 medics need urgent consideration for jobs, the doctors' union has said. 

The union, at the same time, faulted governors for not employing qualified doctors, a matter it believes could "kill the country's universal healthcare dream".

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) spoke on Saturday during their annual meeting.

KMPDU chair Ouma Oluga said the unemployed doctors, some in private practice, could have missed out on apprenticeship.

Dr Oluga nonetheless said they had engaged Parliament, the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors (CoGs) over the unemployment.

“We have 2,500 unemployed doctors available and ready to work in any county, but the governors have refused to employ them directly, even in the face of a huge shortage. Parliament is discussing the report and most MPs support it,” Oluga said.

Recommended ratio

He pointed out that the doctor to patient ratio had exceeded the recommended.

And to show how the professionals relate with governors, he said only 17 counties honoured a 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) reached after a 100-day national doctors strike.

He recommended the transferring of doctors in Kirinyaga to national Government. “What is happening in Kirinyaga County is not a strike but a lockout. We are going to push for the transfer of the doctors to the national government,” he said.

He blamed Laikipia for "refusing to hire doctors".

He attributed the poor level of healthcare in some counties to misleading by "tenderpreneurs and technocrats” running down the system to their personal advantage.

The union, however, commended Kitui and Bomet for implementing the CBA, which guaranteed promotions, adequate hiring and safe working places.