Consultant Kenyan doctors to withdraw services

Consultant doctors who have been handling emergency cases at public hospitals have threatened to discontinue their services should the strike not be resolved by Tuesday.

At the same time, the 2,300 doctors said the government should prepare for mass resignations should a court handling their dispute not rule in their favour. (READ: Kenyan Doctors threaten to resign)

Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) secretary general Boniface Chitayi said the consultants had decided to remain in hospitals in the hope that the differences between the doctors and the government would be quickly resolved.

“They have realised that the government is taking too long to act and now will join the strike,” Mr Chitayi said.

The consultants, who are also KMPDU members, met the union officials in Nairobi yesterday and expressed their support for the strike.

“The consultants, who include surgeons and specialists, are unhappy with the propaganda the government has been spreading.” he said.

He said the withdrawal of services will extend to private hospitals where they work. The move will worsen the crisis as most Kenyans rely on public medical services.

As the strike enters the eighth day with neither side blinking, focus will now be on the Industrial Court to which the government referred the dispute after talks collapsed when the doctors rejected the government’s latest offer of Sh7.1 billion. (SEE IN PICTURES: Kenya doctors on strike)

“Initially, we welcomed the move to take the matter to court, but we now think it’s a move in the wrong direction,” Mr Chitayi said.

On Friday, Public Services Minister Dalmas Otieno, who is standing in for Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o, said the government had taken the measure after doctors refused to “accept our reasonable offer”. (READ: Kenyan doctors reject Sh7bn pay offer)

He said they are relying on the Labour Relations Act which “is specific that medical practitioners cannot picket.”