Health crisis looms as nurses call strike
Pumwani Hospital nurses stage a protest in March, demanding better allowances, additional staff, medical equipment and uniforms. Photo/TOM MARUKO
Kenya’s public health sector is headed for a crisis after nurses and other professionals vowed to lay down tools on December 7.
The nurses are demanding higher salaries and improved working conditions.
Their threat comes hot on the heels of a notice by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union to go on strike on December 5.
The two groups are demanding a 300 per cent pay rise and improved conditions.
On Tuesday, the Kenya Health Professionals Society (KHPS) issued the strike notice.
“We have presented our grievances to the government. We will give room for dialogue but if nothing is forthcoming, we will go on strike,” said National Nurses Association of Kenya chairperson Luke Kodambo.
The KHPS wants the government to increase house, risk and hardship allowances.
It also wants a non-practice allowance, which has previously only been offered to doctors.
The allowance is meant to compensate professionals for earnings they forego by not practising.
Mr Kodambo also demanded a uniform allowance, employment of more workers and better equipment.
The workers are demanding an increase in minimum salaries for the least paid from Sh16,000 to Sh48,000, and for the highest paid from Sh90,000 to Sh270,000 per month.
They also want interns to be paid between Sh40,000 and Sh50,000 per month, depending on their designation.
“The salaries should increase at a rate of 10 per cent annually or a per the inflation rate, whichever is higher. Since the last increase, the cost of living has shot up,” says a memorandum sent to Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o and Public Health Minister Beth Mugo.
“Prices of basic commodities have doubled or tripled. Salaries need to be tripled,” it says.
The KPHS represents nurses, clinical officers, lab technicians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiographers, occupational therapists, nutritionists and records officers, among others.
Mr Kodambo said KHPS was working with the doctors and the groups would issue a joint statement on Wednesday.
