Doctors resume work after 10-day boycott

Doctors returned to work on Thursday after a one-week strike that had paralysed public hospitals across the country. (Read: Doctors offered Sh45,000 more in fresh return-to-work package)

But many Kenyans kept away from public hospitals for fear that doctors could still be on strike.

The health professionals called off their week-long strike on Wednesday evening and promised to provide better services to patients.

At Kenyatta National Hospital, there was a significant drop in the number of patients that visited the hospital on Thursday.

The hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit medical officer Dr Linda Mose said that the low turn-out was as a result of the just ended strike.

He was however, optimistic that patients will return as more people learn that the strike has been called off.

“Patients have come back to the hospital but in very small numbers,” Dr Mose said.

Ms Linet Akunya, a patient who had accompanied her 50-year-old sister to KNH for treatment, said they had expected to be turned away by doctors but were instead attended to.

Her sister suffered internal bleeding after accidentally hitting her head against a window at her workplace.

Operations ran smoothly at the Mbagathi District Hospital and patients slowly trickled back to seek treatment.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) secretary general Boniface Chitayi said that despite agreeing to return to work, the union will continue to fight for the rights of doctors.

“The journey for better health care continues,” said Mr Chitayi.

Mr Chitayi asked the government to work on the modalities of compensating registrars working at both KNH and the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Doctors went on strike on Monday last week demanding a 300 per cent pay rise.

They had also asked for a 30 per cent risk allowance and a medical insurance cover.

The health professionals wanted the government to allocate resources to improve the state of public health facilities across the country.

An offer to increase doctors’ allowance by Sh50,000 a month was rejected, forcing the government to increase the amount from Sh1.35 billion to Sh1.9 billion for the first phase and Sh5.2 billion for the second one.

It also pledged to give Sh80 billion for the upgrading of health facilities and buildings over a decade.

A closed-door meeting by KMPDU and government officials held on Monday night resulted in an agreement to call off the strike. But the deal was disowned hours after it was made.

However, the doctors agreed to resume work on Wednesday evening after the government gave them an additional Sh45,000 in allowances starting next month.

Doctors who have stagnated in the same position for the past three years will also be promoted and the decision backdated to July this year.

Other demands were however rejected. Public Service minister Dalmas Otieno said doctors who had sponsored themselves for Masters degree programmes will not be refunded school fees.

The minister further said that the government did not have the Sh23.6 billion to upgrade medical equipment.

A task force to look into the 13 points they had raised was formed. The taskforce will come up with plans to improve infrastructure in the health sector, increase the number of facilities, medicine and equipment.

The union members also demanded to be included in the formulation of all health-related policies.