Doctors strike: KMPDU says medical interns won't pick posting letters

The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has dismissed the government’s offer on medical interns' posting letters being ready for collection from Thursday.

Doctors have been on strike since March 14 over the government’s failure to post the interns and the health ministry’s non-adherence to the medics’ 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

On Tuesday, State House Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service Felix Koskei announced a Ksh.2.4 billion offer for the posting of all eligible medical interns. He invited those eligible to pick letters from Thursday.

But the doctors’ union says it was not involved in negotiations leading to the advance and that there were no clear legally binding resolutions on how doctors should resume work.

“Our absence on the negotiating table despite furtive efforts to address the pertinent and perennial problems that have plagued our nation's health discredits the entire process. Additionally, the omission of a return-to-work formula with documented and legally binding commitment to the resolutions of our official submission is not only questionable but also a clear sign of the government's decision to dishonour its promises,” KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah said in a letter on Wednesday.

He said the medical interns will not collect the internship letters until the doctors’ demands are met and the 2017 CBA is implemented.

“Referring to them as 'medical student interns' is misleading to the public, and belies the pivotal role these illustrious employees perform in the health sector. Contravening the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and subjecting our healthcare workers to a 70-91 % pay cut is unlawful, punitive, and a gross violation of the global, regional, and national labour laws,” Atellah added.

“Until our demands are met, and the 2017 CBA implemented, the letters mentioned above will not be picked, and will be treated with the contempt and deference they deserve.”

The doctors’ union said it is “open to bipartisan talks and negotiations on the health crisis.”

Koskei’s offer on Tuesday also comprised a promise of grants and scholarships for eligible medical workers to pursue postgraduate education.

Public healthcare in the country has been in disarray since last month as talks between KMPDU and the Health Ministry prove unfruitful.

The doctors have accused the government of non-compliance with the court's directives, intimidation and a refusal to adjust their stance.

The situation has been made worse by clinical officers joining doctors in downing their tools on Monday, aggravating the crisis in Level 2 to Level 5 hospitals.