Big win for doctors as KMPDU, Governors reach agreement for employment, promotions

The Council of Governors and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) have reached an agreement on the criteria for promoting doctors in counties.

Following the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), CoG has now promised to set aside monies in the county budgets to employ more doctors, especially specialists.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Kathwana after a 3-hour meeting on Friday, CoG Health Chair and Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said most of the issues that necessitated calls for industrial action by doctors including better pay are being addressed, with periodic meetings slated to reach a consensus.

As the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) launched by President William Ruto takes effect, and with counties being the biggest implementors of the programme, the leaders said there has arisen a need for a closer working relationship between health workers and Governors.

"We have had a lot of agreements and we see that the county is doing very well. We had many issues with the health workforce but the council has given many critical and required commitments,” said Dr. Atellah.

“We are committed to finding solutions and resolving these challenges, ensuring we pave the way for a successful implementation of Universal Health Coverage.”

Governor Njuki stated: “We want to acknowledge the role that the KMPDU is playing in Kenya that it is more or less working on a relationship with counties who have the biggest health force for the sector, and they are giving us a lot of advice that can add value on how to improve on our services.”

With the two institutions being key drivers in the success of the Afya Nyumbani programme, the CoG Health Committee has been tasked with bringing together health unions to discuss a smooth implementation and finding of concurrence to spearhead the roll out that will be anchored in four laws assented to by President Ruto on October 19, 2023.

Governor Njuki and Dr. Atellah noted that most of the issues of concern, including promotions for doctors, enhanced medical cover for health practitioners, and better pay are either being addressed immediately, or budgetary allocations will be availed in January supplementary budgets to address what has been left out.

They further expressed a need for the capacitation of Community Health Promoters, who will be working closely with both doctors and other health personnel in reducing congestion at referral hospitals, as the government advocates a preventive mode of addressing diseases as opposed to a curative mode.