Clinical officers to down tools at midnight Monday

Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) members announced they would go on strike at midnight Monday after failed implementation of resolutions between the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), among other issues.

KUCO Secretary-General George Gibore said clinical officers’ demands were not addressed as promised when the government urged them to call off their strike last month.

“Sadly, the government has not met our demands as we agreed with them last month,” Kibore told journalists.

Among the issues in contention is the barring of clinical officers from offering services through the recently rolled-out Social Health Authority (SHA) and a breach of last year’s return-to-work agreement.

Kibore said the officers will not resume work this time until all their demands are met.

KUCO Deputy Secretary-General Austin Oduor condemned the National and County Governments Health Summit Deputy President Kithure Kindiki presided over on Monday, saying they were not invited.

“As leaders of these unions, we were not invited and only learned about it in the media, as did the rest of Kenyans,” Oduor said.

Last year’s return-to-work agreement comprised a collective bargaining agreement, promotions, comprehensive medical cover and the confirmation of universal health coverage (UHC) clinical officers and those in short-term contractual employment into permanent and pensionable employment terms.

The clinical officers have been demanding immediate and unconditional recognition and empanelment of health providers and practitioners licensed by the Clinical Officers Council.

They also want the SHA board to reinstate pre-authorisation rights to clinical officers, including specialists.