KMPDU threatens strike if medical interns not posted next week

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) wants over 1,000 medical interns hired, failure to which they will stage a countrywide strike in March.

KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah criticised the Ministry of Health for refusing to absorb the medics thereby denying Kenyans medical services.

“All the doctor interns must get their letters to internships by March 1st, otherwise we will go to the Ministry of Health to collect these letters,” Dr. Atellah said in a press address on Tuesday.

“We are putting the Ministry of Health, the Treasury, the Council of Governors and the whole country on notice that by February 29th and March 1st, if we do not have direction on posting of interns, all the doctors in this country will be on go-slow.”

Kagai Waweru, a medical graduate added. “We cannot be complaining of lack of health care workers yet we have interns waiting at home for months and months, some for years awaiting internship we are here today that is unacceptable and we want to be posted as soon as possible.”

The union also issued a 14-day strike notice for the Kisii County government to comply with the demands of medical workers posted to the devolved unit.

“We know the ultimate power of workers comes with the skills they have learnt. Today we are issuing a 14-day strike notice to Kisii County that will commence on March 4 if the issues will not have been addressed,” Dr. Atellah added.

Among the issues raised by the union include the alleged victimitisation of doctors and other health workers, and they also want the stopped salaries reinstated, and consultants to be designated to the right positions as well as promotions effected.