The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Davji Atellah has clarified reports that Doctors have suspended the #OccupyMoH Protests.
In a statement on July 8 Davji Atellah denied the reports noting that they are false.
He further explained that KMPDU social media handle had been compromised leading to the fake poster over the strike suspension.
“Reports circulating to the effect that #OccupyMoH has been suspended is false. The union handle has been compromised and we are trying our best to gain control of it and clean,” reads part of his statement.
“We must overhaul the system including those that have hacked the union handles. We remain strong. We remain focused. Tukutane MoH.”
This response by the KMPDU secretary general comes after a viral post that plans to occupy the Ministry of Health’s premises in Nairobi, on Monday, July 8, 2024, had been suspended.
Flagged KMPDU Poster
In the post that has since been flagged and deleted, KMPDU stated that there are ongoing negotiations with the Ministry of Health to ensure that all medical interns are posted to health facilities nationwide in line with the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“We are suspending the occupation of Afya House. This decision comes as a result of ongoing discussions and commitments made towards ensuring all medical interns are posted in accordance with the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA),” the fake poster noted.
Further as per the poster, the Union was to occupy and camp at Afya House until all the medical interns are paid as per the CBA 2027 terms.
The CBA was ratified in May following a 56-day nationwide doctors’ strike as part of a return-to-work formula (RTWF) inked between the union and the government.
Also Read: KMPDU Clarifies Death of Doctor as Volunteer Medics Step Down from Protests
KMPDU #OccupyMoH Protest
Moreover, the union on July 4 announced that based on the RTWF dated May 8th, intern doctors were to collect their posting letters by July 7th, 2024, but it had not been implemented.
They said the same was promised to them by CS Nakhumicha in the presence of the president in State House.
“We have therefore decided to occupy the MOH day and night starting on July 8th,” KMPDU said then.
Also Read: Fresh Headache as Doctors Threaten to Occupy Nakhumicha’s Office
KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atellah had said earlier that the internship posting debacle was to be resolved within 60 days as per the 2017 CBA.
“All the doctor interns will have to wait a little bit longer. We have agreed on a 60-days period that they will not be posted but we will be having conversations on this issue,” he said.
Previously, Davji Atellah had highlighted that the union has been holding a series of meetings with the aim of implementing the return-to-work formula at Kenyatta National Hospital and the Ministry of Health.
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