KU hospital staff protest over suspension of medical cover, interference by board

According to the employees, the hospital’s board suspended their medical cover, leaving them and their dependents at risk of lacking access to health services. 

They now demand reinstatement of the cover and reimbursement of money they have used to settle medical expenses; failure to which they will withdraw their services. 

According to the hospital staff, the KUTRRH board has also been interfering with operations at the facility. 

They accuse the board of mischief, saying the appointment of Irungu Kamau to replace Ahmed Dagane was flawed. 

Medics also accuse the management of failing to honour a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) agreed with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU). 

“The management has also disregarded timelines set by the Ministry of Labour's conciliator following the strike notice issued on September 9, 2024. As KUTRRH employees, we demand the immediate disbandment of the current Board, which has outlived its usefulness,” the medics said. 

“A caretaker Board should be put in place to facilitate the selection of a new Board that can continue the hospital's growth and development,” they added. 

The KUTRRH employees now want the intervention of Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa to “save this esteemed institution from a Board that seems focused on self-enrichment at the expense of employees and patient care.”